S-allylcysteine, a garlic derivative, suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in human ovarian cancer cells in vitro

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effects of S-allylcysteine (SAC), a water-soluble garlic derivative, on human ovarian cancer cells in vitro.Methods:Human epithelial ovarian cancer cell line A2780 was tested. Cell proliferation was examined with CCK-8 and colony formation assays. Cell cycle was analyzed with flow cytometry. Cell apoptosis was studied using Hoechst 33258 staining and Annexin V/PI staining with flow cytometry. The migration and invasion of A2780 cells were examined with transwell and wound healing assays. The expression of relevant proteins was detected with Western blot assays.Results:SAC (1-100 mmol/L) inhibited the proliferation of A2780 cells in dose- and time-dependent manners (the IC 50 value was approximately 25 mmol/L at 48 h, and less than 6.25 mmol/L at 96 h). Furthermore, SAC dose-dependently inhibited the colony formation of A2780 cells. Treatment of A2780 cells with SAC resulted in G 1 /S phase arrest and induced apoptosis, accompanied by decreased expression of pro-caspase-3, Parp-1 and Bcl-2, and increased expression of active caspase-3 and Bax. SAC treatment significantly reduced the migration of A2780 cells, and markedly decreased the protein expression of Wnt5a, p-AKT and c-Jun, which were the key proteins involved in proliferation and metastasis.Conclusion:SAC suppresses proliferation and induces apoptosis in A2780 ovarian cancer cells in vitro.