Cirsilineol inhibits the proliferation and migration of endometriotic cells

Purpose: To determine the effect of cirsilineol on the proliferation and migration of endometriotic cells.Methods: Human endometriotic epithelial cells 12Z were treated with 5, 10 and 20 mu M cirsilineol, respectively. Cell proliferation was evaluated using BrdU incorporation assay whereas wound healing assay was used to investigate cell migration, and cell invasion was assessed by Transwell assay. Cell cycle was investigated using flow cytometry while protein expression and phosphorylation levels of p65 and IKB alpha were evaluated by Western blot. Results: Treatment with cirsilineol at either 10 mu M or 20 mu M resulted in a significant reduction in cell proliferation and cell cycle arrest at the G2/M phase (p < 0.05). Moreover, cirsilineol weakened cell migration and invasion in 12Z cells, but did not alter the expression of p65. However, it significantly downregulated the phosphorylation of p65 and increased the expression of IKB alpha, while attenuating the phosphorylation level of IKB alpha (p < 0.05). Furthermore, 5 mu M cirsilineol did not show any significant effects on these cellular activities, suggesting the activity of cirsilineol in 12Z cells is dose-dependent.Conclusion: Cirsilineol inhibits cell proliferation, induces cell cycle arrest, suppresses migration and invasion of endometriotic epithelial cells by regulating NF-KB pathway. Thus, cirsilineol might be a potential therapeutic candidate for endometriosis treatment.