Na 7 CrCuW 11 O 39 .16H 2 O induces apoptosis in human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells through the p38 signaling pathway

• Published in: Oncology letters 2017-04, Vol.13 (4), p.2418
• Main Authors: Liu, Hai-Ying, Pan, Xiu-Li, Tian, Jia-Nan, Sun, Hui, Huan, Qing, Huang, Yu-Ling, Liu, Jian-Qiao
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1792-1074

Ovarian carcinoma is a common malignant disease worldwide with a poor therapeutic response. The present study investigated the effects of Na CrCuW O .16H O (CrCuW ) on ovarian cancer cell growth and investigated the mechanisms underlying its actions. The effects of CrCuW on cell viability and apoptosis were measured by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-2H-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, acridine orange/ethidium bromide staining and electron microscopy in human ovarian cancer SKOV3 cells. The expression of bcl-2-like protein 4 (Bax), B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2), cytochrome , phosphorylated (p)-p38 and p38 was determined by western blot analysis. Caspase-3 activity was measured by caspase-3 activity kit. CrCuW concentrations of 1.87×10 mol. l at 12 h reduced viability induced apoptosis in SKOV3 cells in a concentration-and time-dependent manner. Forced expression of CrCuW upregulated the expression of certain proteins (Bax, cytochrome , and p-p38), and downregulated Bcl-2 protein expression. Furthermore, CrCuW also enhanced caspase-3 activity. The p38 inhibitor SB203580 was able to inhibit the activity of CrCuW . Caspase-3 and p38 signaling pathways were associated with CrCuW -regulated multiple targets involved in SKOV3 cell proliferation. Therefore, the results of the present study indicated that CrCuW may be used as a novel clinical drug for the treatment of ovarian cancer.