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Evaluating the Angiogenetic Properties of Ovarian Cancer Stem-Like Cells using the Three-Dimensional Co-Culture System, NICO-1
Published on: December 5, 2020
The Inhibitory Effect of Ginger Extract on Ovarian Cancer Cell Line; Application of Systems Biology
Roghiyeh Pashaei-Asl1,2, Fatima Pashaei-Asl3, Parvin Mostafa Gharabaghi4
1Department of Anatomy, Medical School, Iran University of Medical Science, Tehran, Iran.
Abstract:
Ginger is a natural compound with anti-cancer properties. The effects of ginger and its mechanism on ovarian cancer and its cell line model, SKOV-3, are unclear. In this study, we have evaluated the effect of ginger extract on SKOV-3. SKOV-3 cells were incubated with ginger extract for 24, 48 and 72 hours. Cell toxicity assay was performed. Different data mining algorithms were applied to highlight the most important features contributing to ginger inhibition on the SKOV-3 cell proliferation. Moreover, Real-Time PCR was performed to assay p53, p21 and bcl-2 genes expression. For co-expression meta-analysis of p53, mutual ranking (MR) index and transformation to Z-values (Z distribution) were applied on available transcriptome data in NCBI GEO data repository. The ginger extract significantly inhibited cancer growth in ovarian cancer cell line. The most important attribute was 60 µg/ml concentration which received weights higher than 0.50, 0.75 and 0.95 by 90%, 80% and 50% of feature selection models, respectively. The expression level of p53 was increased sharply in response to ginger treatment. Systems biology analysis and meta-analysis of deposited expression value in NCBI based on rank of correlation and Z-transformation approach unraveled the key co-expressed genes and co-expressed network of P53, as the key transcription factor induced by ginger extract. High co-expression between P53 and the other apoptosis-inducing proteins such as CASP2 and DEDD was noticeable, suggesting the molecular mechanism underpinning of ginger action. We found that the ginger extract has anticancer properties through p53 pathway to induce apoptosis.
Insights
Ginger extract demonstrated significant anti-cancer effects on ovarian cancer cells (SKOV-3). This natural compound promotes apoptosis by activating the p53 pathway, offering a potential therapeutic strategy.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Natural Product Chemistry
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Ginger possesses known anti-cancer properties, but its specific mechanism against ovarian cancer remains largely uncharacterized.
- The SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell line serves as a relevant model for investigating novel therapeutic agents.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the anti-cancer effects of ginger extract on the SKOV-3 ovarian cancer cell line.
- To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying ginger's inhibitory action, focusing on the p53 pathway.
Main Methods:
- SKOV-3 cells were treated with ginger extract, followed by cell toxicity assays.
- Data mining algorithms were employed for feature selection related to ginger's inhibitory effects.
- Real-Time PCR was used to analyze the expression of p53, p21, and bcl-2 genes.
- Co-expression meta-analysis of p53 using NCBI GEO data was performed.
Main Results:
- Ginger extract significantly inhibited ovarian cancer cell growth, with 60 µg/ml concentration being a key factor.
- Ginger treatment led to a sharp increase in p53 gene expression.
- Systems biology analysis identified p53 as a key transcription factor induced by ginger, with high co-expression with apoptosis-inducing proteins like CASP2 and DEDD.
Conclusions:
- Ginger extract exhibits potent anti-cancer properties against ovarian cancer.
- The anti-cancer effects are mediated through the p53 pathway, leading to the induction of apoptosis.

