Effect of curcumin on the viability of SKOV3 cells and its probable mechanism of action

Abstract

Purpose: To study the influence of curcumin on the survival of SKOV3 cells and the potential molecular mechanism of action. Methods: SKOV3 cell proliferation was measured using MTT assay. Gene expression levels were assayed using QRT-PCR assay, while protein expression was determined with western blotting. Results: Cell viability was reduced by curcumin at doses of 20, 40 and 80 μM (p < 0.05) in a dose-based fashion. Protein expression levels of Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9 were upregulated by curcumin, while Bcl-2 protein level was downregulated (p < 0.05). Conclusion: These results demonstrate that curcumin inhibits cell proliferation by promoting the protein expressions of pro-apoptotic genes (Bax, caspase-3 and caspase-9) while suppressing Bcl-2 protein level. Therefore, curcumin might be a novel alternative therapy for ovarian cancer.