Potential of Anti-neoplastic Therapeutics in Targeting Human Ovarian Cancer Cells

Abstract

Background: The ovary is characterized by three different cell types which are epithelial, germ, and stromal cells. Depending on the cell origin of the tumor, several types of ovarian cancers emerge. The most common type is the epithelial ovarian cancer which arises from the epithelium and comprises 95% of all ovarian cancer types. The germ-cell tumors and stromal tumors account for 2-3% and 1.2% respectively. The epithelial ovarian cancer is divided in multiple subtypes and the most common is the high grade serous ovarian cancer. Although the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer at the molecular level is still not well exhibited, recent researches and studies link certain pathways and alterations directly to ovarian cancer.

Aim: This proposal aims to study the effect of Thymoquinone (TQ), the main component of black seed on blocking the epithelial ovarian cancer cells’ proliferation and migration, and targeting the ovarian cancer stem cells.

Methods: Two human ovarian cancer cell lines OVCAR-420 and SKOV-3 were used to assess the effect of Thymoquinone on cell viability and proliferation using MTT and Trypan Blue assays. Moreover, we used the wound healing assay to study the effect of TQ on the migration of the cells. Finally, the effect of the drugs on ovarian cancer stem cells, progenitor cells and stem cell characteristics and properties were evaluated using the 3D spheres formation assay.

Results: Our results showed a decrease in cell viability and proliferation in both cell lines after treatment with TQ using the Trypan Blue and MTT assays respectively. Moreover, TQ was also successful in reducing the migratory potential of both cell lines. Furthermore, the sphere formation assay showed a significant effect of the treatment on the count, shape and size of the spheres for both OVCAR-420 and SKOV-3.

Conclusion: This study demonstrates TQ as a potential treatment against ovarian cancer.