Efficacy of colchicine and melatonin in the treatment of rat endometriosis model: An animal study

This study investigates the therapeutic effects of colchicine and melatonin on endometriotic implants in an experimentally created endometriosis model in rats. Forty-four adult female Wistar albino rats weighing between 260 and 300 g, 8 weeks old, were selected for the study. The unilateral uterine horn of rats with a bicornuate uterus was excised for 1 cm, washed with sterile saline, incised longitudinally, and the endometrium was exposed. A 0.5*0.5 cm endometrial tissue sample taken with a scalpel was implanted with suturing (4/0 Vicryl) to the abdominal wall. Forty-four rats were divided into four groups. Group 1 was randomized as the endometriosis group (control), Group 2 as endometriosis + colchicine treatment, Group 3 as endometriosis + melatonin treatment, and Group 4 as the endometriosis + melatonin + colchicine treatment group. The colchicine (Sigma Chemical Co., St Louis, Missouri) group was administered orally at a dose of 0.1 mg/kg, and the Melatonin group orally at a dose of melatonin (20 mg/kg per day). Treatment continued daily for 30 days. In the post-treatment focal diameter measurements, the endometrial focal diameter in the colchicine and colchicine + melatonin group was significantly lower than the control group (p=0.026). Bcl-2 levels of the colchicine group were lower than the control group and the melatonin group (p=0.021). Colchicine and melatonin reduce adhesion to the peritoneal surface in ectopic endometrial cells. It also acts by increasing apoptosis and decreasing cell survival. •Colchicine and melatonin reduce adhesion to the peritoneal surface in ectopic endometrial cells. It also acts by increasing apoptosis and decreasing cell survival.•The Bcl-2 and MMP-9 levels were lower, and the caspase-3 level was higher than the control group.•Colchicine + melatonin treatment was found to have higher caspase-3 levels.