Resveratrol inhibits proliferation of myometrial and leiomyoma cells and decreases extracellular matrix-associated protein expression

Uterine fibroids (leiomyomas) are the most common benign tumours in women during their reproductive age. Hyperplasia of uterine smooth muscle cells and abnormal deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM) are responsible for the development of uterine fibroids. Studies have shown that food rich in phytochemicals can prevent or treat leiomyoma. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to demonstrate the inhibitory effects of resveratrol on uterine fibroid cell growth and ECM-associated protein expression. We found that resveratrol inhibited the proliferation of leiomyoma cell line (ELT3) and uterine smooth muscle cell line (UtSMC) and affected the cell morphology of both cell lines, induced cell cycle arrest at S and G2/M phase, regulated cell apoptosis associated protein expression and induced cell apoptosis, and affected ECM-associated mRNA and protein expression. Our results suggest that resveratrol is potentially effective in preventing the hyperplasia of leiomyoma and uterine smooth muscle cells.