Honokiol inhibits cell migration and invasion by blocking EMT via Snail/Slug axis in endometriosis

Endometriosis, a common gynecological disease, leads to dysmenorrhea and infertility. EMT process was closely related to the pathology of endometriosis. More therapies were required to be explored for endometriosis management. The current study was intended to explore the effect of honokiol in endometriosis. Endometriosis endometrial stromal cells (EESCs) were isolated from endometriosis patients for in vitro analysis. Rats were autotransplanted with endometrial tissues for in vivo study. A range of experiments including MTT, wound healing, Transwell, western blot, hematoxylin and eosin staining, immunohistochemical staining, and RIA analysis were carried out to determine the function and mechanism of honokiol in vitro and in vivo. For in vitro analysis, low dose of honokiol treatment induced no cytotoxicity to EESCs. Honokiol treatment suppressed cell migration and invasion of EESCs. Additionally, honokiol inhibited EMT process of EESCs. For in vivo analysis, honokiol treatment significantly improved pathological morphology in endometriosis model rats. Besides, honokiol treatment decreased Ki67 but increased cleaved caspase-3 protein in ectopic endometrium tissues. Moreover, honokiol administration decreased wet weight of ectopic endometrium tissues, E2 and PGE2 levels. Similarly, honokiol also attenuated EMT process in ectopic endometrium tissues. In summary, honokiol inhibits cell migration and invasion by blocking EMT via Snail/Slug axis in endometriosis, which may provide another choice for endometriosis treatment.