Effects of Natural Compound Genistein on the Proliferation and Apoptosis in Ovarian Carcinoma Cell Lines 3AO

Abstract

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effects and mechanism of Genistein on proliferation inhibition and onset of apoptosis in ovarian carcinoma cell line 3AO. Antiproliferative effect of Genistein against 3AO was tested by MTT method. Apoptotic phenotype of 3AO was observed by electron microscope. Cell apoptosis percentage and cell cycle phase distribution of 3AO were measured by flow cytometric assay. The expression of proliferation and apoptosis associated protein was determined by using immunocytochemical method. A time-dependent and dose-dependent proliferation inhibition was demonstrated in 3AO, and Genistein induced a G2/M cell cycle arrest . The characteristic morphological changes of apoptosis in 3AO cells were observed after treated by Genistein. 20μmol/L Genistein could down-regulate the expression of PCNA, CyclinB1 and Bcl-2; and up-regulate the expression of P21WAF1/CIP1 and Bax. The time-dependent and dose-dependent proliferation inhibitory effect of genistein on ovarian cancer appears to be due to the up-regulation of P21WAF1/CIP1 and PCNA expression, down-regulation of CyclinB1 expression, and the apoptosis is related to the up-regulation apoptotic proteins Bax and down-regulation of anti-apoptotic proteins Bcl-2. The results provide evidence for the potential usefulness of Genistein in the prevention and treatment of human ovarian carcinoma.