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Gentian Violet Inhibits Cell Proliferation through Induction of Apoptosis in Ovarian Cancer Cells

Min Sung Choi1, Ji Hyeon Kim2, Chae Yeon Lee2

  • 1Department of Biopharmaceutical Chemistry, Kookmin University, Seoul 02707, Republic of Korea.

Biomedicines
|June 28, 2023
PubMed

Insights

Gentian violet demonstrates significant anticancer effects by inhibiting ovarian cancer cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis. This dye shows potential as a novel therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer treatment.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Pharmacology

Background:

  • Gentian violet (GV) exhibits known antibacterial and antifungal properties.
  • Emerging research indicates GV's potential to inhibit various cancer cell growth.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the anticancer efficacy of Gentian violet (GV) specifically in ovarian cancer cells.
  • To elucidate the mechanisms underlying GV's antiproliferative effects in ovarian cancer.

Main Methods:

  • Cell proliferation assays were performed on OVCAR8, SKOV3, and A2780 ovarian cancer cell lines.
  • Apoptosis was assessed using the transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay.
  • Western blot analysis was employed to examine protein expression related to apoptosis and oxidative stress.

Main Results:

  • GV significantly inhibited the proliferation of OVCAR8, SKOV3, and A2780 ovarian cancer cells.
  • GV treatment induced apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells, confirmed by TUNEL assay and Western blot.
  • GV increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and upregulated key apoptosis-related proteins (p53, PUMA, BAX, p21).

Conclusions:

  • Gentian violet exhibits significant antiproliferative and pro-apoptotic effects on ovarian cancer cells.
  • The mechanism involves ROS generation and activation of the p53-mediated apoptosis pathway.
  • GV warrants further investigation as a potential therapeutic agent for ovarian cancer.
Keywords:
apoptosisgentian violetovarian cancer

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