Experimental endometriosis remission in rats treated with Achillea biebersteinii Afan.: histopathological evaluation and determination of cytokine levels

• Published in: European journal of obstetrics & gynecology and reproductive biology Vol. 175; pp. 172 - 177
• Main Authors: Demirel, Murside Ayse, Suntar, Ipek, Ilhan, Mert, Keles, Hikmet, Kupeli Akkol, Esra
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Ireland Elsevier Ireland Ltd 01-04-2014
• Subjects: Achillea; Achillea biebersteinii; Animals; Ascitic Fluid - metabolism; Cornus; Cytokine; Cytokines - metabolism; Drug Evaluation, Preclinical; Endometriosis - drug therapy; Endometriosis - metabolism; Endometriosis - pathology; Ethnobotany; Experimental endometriosis model; Female; Obstetrics and Gynecology; Peritoneal Cavity - pathology; Phytotherapy; Plant Extracts - therapeutic use; Rat; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Remission Induction; Achillea biebersteinii; Rat; Cytokine; Experimental endometriosis model
• ISSN: 0301-2115; 1872-7654
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2014.01.011

Abstract Objective The aim of the present study is to assess the beneficial effects of Achillea biebersteinii Afan. in the treatment of endometriosis in order to find scientific evidence for the folkloric use of this plant. Study design Experimental endometriosis was induced in six-week-old female, nonpregnant, Sprague Dawley rats by suturing a 15 mm piece of endometrium from uterine cornu into abdominal wall. After twenty-eight days, a second laparotomy was performed: the endometrial foci areas were measured and intra-abdominal adhesions were scored, and the abdomen was closed. Different groups then received n -hexane, ethyl acetate (EtOAc) and methanol (MeOH) extracts prepared from the aerial parts of A. biebersteinii , and a control group received inert material, administered per os once a day throughout the experiment. At the end of the treatment procedure all rats were sacrified and endometriotic foci areas and intra-abdominal adhesions were again evaluated and compared with the previous findings. The tissues were also histopathologically investigated. Moreover, peritoneal fluid was collected to detect tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels. Dunnett's test was used to determine the significance of differences between groups. In order to compare two groups Student's t test was used. Results Post-treatment volumes of endometrial foci were found to be significantly decreased, and no adhesion was detected, in the EtOAc extract treated group. The levels of TNF-α, VEGF and IL-6 also fell after the treatment with EtOAc extract. The therapeutic effect of the EtOAc extract of A. biebersteinii could be attributed to the flavonoid aglycones found in the extract. Conclusion The EtOAc extract of A. biebersteinii appears to be a promising alternative for the treatment of endometriosis.