Dill seed oil as a possible contraceptive agent: antiangiogenic effects on endothelial cells

Abstract Dill (Anethum graveolens L.) essential oil is wide spread in the food, beverage and pharmaceutical sectors. Dill is a member of the Apiaceae (Umbelliferae) family. It has the following biological activities: antioxidant, antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, antihyperlipidemic, antihypercholesterolemic, antispasmodic, antiproliferative and anti-inflammatory. Aqueous extract of dill seed has reported effects on sex hormones and infertility potential. Moreover, boiled dill seed has an impact on reducing labor duration in giving birth. Implantation and placentation are necessary for a healthy pregnancy in the early stages. Angiogenesis is responsible for these essential processes. This study aimed to investigate dill seed oil’s cytotoxic and antiangiogenic effects on rat adipose tissue endothelial cells (RATECs). Dill seed oil showed dose-dependent cytotoxicity on RATECs. It disrupted endothelial tube formation and depolymerized F-actin stress fibers. According to this study, depolymerization of F-actin stress fiber by dill seed oil could inhibit angiogenesis by suppressing endothelial cell proliferation, tube formation and motility. In other words, dill seed oil can be a new anti-angiogenic agent and a novel contraceptive.摘要：莳萝（Anethum graveolens L.）精油广泛应用于食品、饮料及制药行业。莳萝隶属于伞形科（Apiaceae (Umbelliferae)），具有多种生物活性：抗氧化、抗真菌、抗菌、抗微生物、抗高脂血症、抗高胆固醇血症、解痉、抗增殖及抗炎。已有研究表明，莳萝籽水提取物可对性激素水平与生育潜能产生影响；此外，水煮莳萝籽能够缩短分娩产程。着床与胎盘形成是早期健康妊娠的必要过程，而血管生成正是支撑这两项关键进程的核心机制。本研究旨在探究莳萝籽油对大鼠脂肪组织内皮细胞（RATECs）的细胞毒性及抗血管生成作用。实验结果显示，莳萝籽油对RATECs呈现剂量依赖性细胞毒性，可破坏内皮管形成并解聚F-肌动蛋白应力纤维。本研究证实，莳萝籽油通过解聚F-肌动蛋白应力纤维，抑制内皮细胞增殖、管形成与运动能力，从而发挥抗血管生成作用。换言之，莳萝籽油有望成为新型抗血管生成制剂与避孕剂。