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Updated: Dec 20, 2025

Murine Model for Non-invasive Imaging to Detect and Monitor Ovarian Cancer Recurrence
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Stigmasterol Causes Ovarian Cancer Cell Apoptosis by Inducing Endoplasmic Reticulum and Mitochondrial Dysfunction

Hyocheol Bae1, Gwonhwa Song1, Whasun Lim2

  • 1Department of Biotechnology, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Korea.

Pharmaceutics
|June 3, 2020
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Stigmasterol, a phytosterol, effectively inhibits ovarian cancer cell growth and migration. It induces apoptosis and cell death by activating the ER-mitochondrial axis, suggesting its potential as a novel ovarian cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Phytochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Cell Biology

Background:

  • Phytosterols, like stigmasterol, possess physiological benefits and are utilized in medicine and supplements.
  • Stigmasterol exhibits anticancer properties against numerous cancer types, but its impact on ovarian cancer remains unexplored.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of stigmasterol on human ovarian cancer cells.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms of stigmasterol's action, including its impact on apoptosis, mitochondrial function, reactive oxygen species (ROS), and calcium levels.

Main Methods:

  • Examined proapoptotic signals, mitochondrial function, ROS production, and cytosolic/mitochondrial calcium levels in ovarian cancer cells.
  • Utilized migration assays to assess stigmasterol's effect on cell motility.
  • Analyzed the activation of the ER-mitochondrial axis in response to stigmasterol treatment.

Main Results:

  • Stigmasterol demonstrated inhibitory effects on human ovarian cancer cell development.
  • The compound induced apoptosis, ROS production, and calcium overload in ES2 and OV90 ovarian cancer cell lines.
  • Stigmasterol activated the ER-mitochondrial axis, leading to cell death and suppressed cell migration and angiogenesis genes.

Conclusions:

  • Stigmasterol exhibits significant anti-ovarian cancer activity.
  • The compound induces cancer cell death through apoptosis and ER-mitochondrial axis activation.
  • Stigmasterol presents potential as a novel therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer treatment.
Keywords:
apoptosisendoplasmic reticulummigrationmitochondriaovarian cancerstigmasterol

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