Baicalein induces apoptosis in human ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells by activating Caspase and Bcl-2 family proteins / 中草药

ABSTRACT

Objective: To explore the apoptotic effect of baicalein, a coumarin flavonone, on human ovarian carcinoma HO-8910 cells, as well as the mechanisms. Methods: HO-8910 cells were treated with esculetin at a series of concentrations for different times. Expression of apoptosis related Bax/Bcl-2, and Caspases proteins in esculetin treated HO-8910 cells were detected by Western blotting. Cell growth and apoptosis were measured by MTT test and flow cytometry in vitro. Results: Cell viability assay showed that esculetin had obvious anti-proliferation effects on HO-8910 cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Compared with control group, the group treated with esculetin showed a significant increase in apoptosis rate (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The results demonstrated that esculetin up-regulated the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio and cleaved Caspase-3, cleaved Caspase-9 expression in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusion: In summary, baicalein exerts anti-growth and induced-apoptosis activity against ovarian cancer HO-8910 cells through activating Caspase and Bcl-2 family proteins, therefore presenting as a promising therapeutic agent for the treatment of ovarian cancer.