Wang Xue-Rong, Hao Hong-Guang, Chu Lan
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Daqing City People's Hospital, Daqing, 163318, Heilongjiang, China.
Department of Gynaecology and Obstetrics, Daqing City People's Hospital, Daqing, 163318, Heilongjiang, China.
Microb Pathog. 2017 Aug;109:110-113. doi: 10.1016/j.micpath.2017.05.032. Epub 2017 May 25.
Endometriosis is a continuous inflammation of uterine endometrium that usually affects women of reproductive age. Glycyrrhizin, a triterpene isolated from the roots and rhizomes of licorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), has been known to have anti-inflammatory effect. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-inflammatory effect of glycyrrhizin on LPS-stimulated mouse endometrial epithelial cells (MEEC). The levels of TNF-α, IL-1β, and PGE were measured by ELISA. The expression of COX-2, iNOS, TLR4, and NF-ĸB were detected by western blot analysis. The results showed that glycyrrhizin significantly suppressed LPS-induced TNF-α, IL-1β, NO, and PGE production. Also, LPS-induced iNOS and COX-2 expression were attenuated by glycyrrhizin. Furthermore, glycyrrhizin significantly attenuated TLR4 expression and NF-κB activation induced by LPS in MEEC. In conclusion, the present study demonstrated that glycyrrhizin inhibited LPS-induced inflammatory response by inhibiting TLR4 signaling pathway in MEEC. Glycyrrhizin may be used as a potential agent for the treatment of endometriosis.
子宫内膜异位症是一种子宫内膜的持续性炎症，通常影响育龄女性。甘草甜素是从甘草（Glycyrrhiza glabra）的根和根茎中分离出的一种三萜类化合物，已知具有抗炎作用。本研究的目的是探讨甘草甜素对脂多糖（LPS）刺激的小鼠子宫内膜上皮细胞（MEEC）的抗炎作用。通过酶联免疫吸附测定法（ELISA）检测肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）、白细胞介素-1β（IL-1β）和前列腺素E（PGE）的水平。通过蛋白质印迹分析检测环氧化酶-2（COX-2）、诱导型一氧化氮合酶（iNOS）、Toll样受体4（TLR4）和核因子κB（NF-κB）的表达。结果表明，甘草甜素显著抑制LPS诱导的TNF-α、IL-1β、一氧化氮（NO）和PGE的产生。此外，甘草甜素减弱了LPS诱导的iNOS和COX-2表达。此外，甘草甜素显著减弱了LPS诱导的MEEC中TLR4表达和NF-κB激活。总之，本研究表明甘草甜素通过抑制MEEC中TLR4信号通路来抑制LPS诱导的炎症反应。甘草甜素可能作为治疗子宫内膜异位症的潜在药物。
