Cell Morphology-Based Screening Identified Vitetrifolin D from <i>Vitex Rotundifolia</i> as an Inhibitor of Phorbol Ester–Induced Downregulation of E-Cadherin in HHUA Endometrial Cells

The epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT) of endometrial cells contributes to the development cancer, endometriosis, and adenomyosis. We have recently reported that 12-O-Tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA), a protein kinase C activator, induces EMT in HHUA cultured on collagen type I gels. showed an obvious morphological change from spheroids scattered spindle during TPA-induced EMT. In this study, we searched for inhibitors change, isolated vitetrifolin D Vitex rotundifolia leaves. Vitetrifolin suppressed downregulation E-cadherin, major component epithelial adherens junction. Since modest cytotoxicity at concentration required inhibit E-cadherin downregulation, it would not be suitable as drug treat disorders. However, our cell morphology-based screening could contribute discovery new compounds loss junctions.