Epigallocatechin-3-gallate, a natural polyphenol, inhibits cell proliferation and induces apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells.
BACKGROUND
Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) is a polyphenol constituent present in green tea previously shown to inhibit cancer growth. However, studies on human ovarian cancer are limited. This study evaluated, the effects of EGCG as a potential anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic agent in the human ovarian cancer line, SKOV-3.


METHODS
The MTS assay which measures metabolic activity of cells, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) incorporation assay, and flow cytometry were used for the cell proliferation studies and cell morphology, DNA fragmentation analysis and the TUNEL assay for apoptotic effects.


RESULTS
The EGCG treated SKOV-3 cells showed inhibition of cell viability and proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, EGCG-mediated SKOV-3 cell growth inhibition was associated with apoptotic changes as evident by cell cycle arrest and accumulation of cells in the apoptotic phase, cell morphological changes, DNA fragmentation and TUNEL-positive apoptotic cells.


CONCLUSIONS
In SKOV-3 cells, EGCG inhibits cell proliferation via DNA synthesis reduction and induces apoptotic cell death via DNA damage, thus elucidating a novel, plausible mechanism of EGCG anti-tumorigenic property.
Rao
Sunita D
SD
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Alpert Medical School of Brown University, Women & Infants Hospital, Providence, RI 02905, USA.
Pagidas
Kelly
K
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology*; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D002392:Catechin / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000494:pharmacology; D002453:Cell Cycle / Q000187:drug effects; D048708:Cell Growth Processes / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000096:biosynthesis; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
D016588:Anticarcinogenic Agents; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D002392:Catechin; C045651:epigallocatechin gallate