The combination of natural compounds Crila and epigallocatechin gallate showed enhanced antiproliferative effects on human uterine fibroid cells compared with single treatments.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the combined effects of Crila and green tea extract, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), compared with single treatments, on human uterine fibroid cells.

DESIGN

Human uterine leiomyoma (HuLM) cells were treated with different concentrations of Crila, alone or in combination with EGCG, and several experiments were employed.

SETTING

A laboratory study.

PATIENTSS: N/A.

INTERVENTIONS: Crila, EGCG.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Cell proliferation assay, drug synergy using combination index, protein and gene expression analysis of proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and apoptosis marker BAX using western blotting and quantitative polymerase chain reaction, respectively.

RESULTS

Results showed that tested Crila concentrations, when combined with 25 and 50 μM EGCG, exerted synergistic growth inhibitory effects on HuLM viability. This inhibitory effect on HuLM cell viability was because of decreased cell proliferation, as shown by a decrease in the proliferation marker proliferating cell nuclear antigen at messenger RNA and protein levels, rather than inducing apoptosis.

CONCLUSION

Our study concludes that the utility of natural compounds may provide a safe and cost-effective alternative to currently used short-term hormonal therapies against uterine fibroids.