Author Type

Graduate Student

Date of Award

Spring 4-23-2026

Document Type

Thesis

Publication Status

Version of Record

Submission Date

April 2026

Department

Biological Sciences

College Granting Degree

Charles E. Schmidt College of Science

Department Granting Degree

Biological Sciences

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Thesis/Dissertation Advisor [Chair]

James Hartmann

Abstract

Endometriosis is a chronic inflammatory disease affecting approximately 10% of reproductive-aged women worldwide and is commonly associated with pelvic pain, infertility, and reduced quality of life. Current management strategies, including hormonal therapies and surgical intervention, often provide only temporary relief and are associated with recurrence and adverse effects. These limitations highlight the need for alternative, non-hormonal therapeutic approaches that target underlying inflammatory and cellular mechanisms of disease progression.

This study evaluated the effects of oleuropein, contained within an olive leaf extract, and calcitriol, the active form of vitamin D, on cellular viability and migration in immortalized human endometriotic epithelial (12Z) cells. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were included as a comparative non-epithelial human cell model. Using the Alamar Blue assay and scratch (wound healing) assay, compounds were tested individually and in combination to assess cytotoxic and migratory effects. Statistical analyses were conducted in R. Oleuropein significantly reduced 12Z cell migration, while the combination treatment showed no enhanced effect beyond oleuropein alone. Neither treatment produced strong dose-dependent cytotoxic effects, and PBMC viability remained largely unaffected. These findings provide preclinical insight into the potential of oleuropein and calcitriol as non-hormonal modulators of endometriotic cell behavior and inform future mechanistic and translational investigations.

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