Inhibition of Fibroblast Activation in Uterine Leiomyoma by Components of Rhizoma Curcumae and Rhizoma Sparganii

Abstract

Background: The herbs Rhizoma Curcumae and Rhizoma Sparganii (RCRS) are often used in traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of uterine leiomyoma (UL). The effectiveness of RCRS for the treatment of UL has been confirmed in our previous studies.Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the molecular mechanism by which RCRS inhibits the activation of fibroblast activation protein (FAP) and prevents UL in rats.Study Design and Methods: A Sprague Dawley (SD) rat model of UL was established via estrogen and progesterone load combined with external stimulation. Histological analyses, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays, and western blotting were performed to evaluate the effect of RCRS on UL and elucidate its mechanism of action.Results: Our data showed that the treatment of SD rats with RCRS significantly reduced the expression of extracellular matrix component collagen, FAP, and transforming growth factor beta (a FAP-activating factor) and the phosphorylation of the cell proliferation pathway-related signaling factors AKT/MEK/ERK.Conclusion: Our results suggest that RCRS is effective in the prevention and treatment of UL in rats, and RCRS may exert its functions by inhibiting the activation of tumor-associated fibroblasts and cell proliferation and by improving the tumor extracellular matrix.

Dietary Natural Compounds and Vitamins as Potential Cofactors in Uterine Fibroids Growth and Development

“…Curcumin, another natural substance with proven therapeutic effects on UFs, can reduce oxidative stress and protect against inflammation in leiomyoma. Its action is expressed through modulation of pro-inflammatory cytokines and signaling pathways, including peroxisome proliferatoractivated receptor-gamma (PPAR-γ) [105,[107][108][109][110].…”

“…Tsuiji et al noted the effect of curcumin on peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) activation [108]. Feng et al demonstrated in an animal model that Rhizoma Curcumae (RC) and Rhizoma Sparganii (RS), used in traditional Chinese medicine, were effective in preventing and treating UFs in rats [109]. The combination of RC and RS effectively reduced the expression of extracellular matrix component collagen, fibroblast activating protein, and transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β), simultaneously decreasing the expression level of signaling factors (AKT, ERK and MEK) in cell proliferation [109].…”

Evidence-Based Management of Uterine Fibroids With Botanical Drugs-A Review

“…Moreover, CRSR was found to affect various ECM-associated genes, which may be responsible for its ability to decrease uterine mass ( Yu et al, 2019 ). In line with the hypothesis that CRSR produces an effect on the ECM, another independent study reported a reduced expression of fibroblast activation protein, which is a collagen component of the ECM and TGF-b ( Feng et al, 2021 ).…”

Analysis on internal mechanism of zedoary turmeric in treatment of liver cancer based on pharmacodynamic substances and pharmacodynamic groups

“…At present, there are many studies, and the outstanding curative effect of zedoary tumeric in liver cancer has also been confirmed. Some active components, including curcumol, zedoarondiol, curcumenol, curdione, curcumin, germacrone β-elemene, have been proved to exist in a large number in zedoary tumeric ( Gao et al, 2017 , Chen et al, 2008 , Xu et al, 2015 , Matsuda et al, 1998 , Lou et al, 2009 ), and it has also been reported that these components have significant anticancer activity ( Mao et al, 2013 , Pan et al, 2018 , Ahmed Hamdi et al, 2014 , Zeng et al, 2012 , Feng et al, 2021 ), and these components have been identified as quality markers of liver protection and anticancer of zedoary tumeric ( Li, Cao, & Hao, 2021 ). The research idea of this paper is shown in Fig.…”