Effects of lycopene on ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 in vitro: Suppressed proliferation and enhanced apoptosis

Aims: This study aims to investigate the influences of lycopene on ovarian cancer cells SKOV3 in vitro and the corresponding mechanism. Methods: SKOV3 cultures were divided into four groups and treated with lycopene at 0 (the control group), 1 x 10(-6), 1 x 10(-5) and 1 x 10(-4) mol/L respectively. The proliferation rate of SKOV3 cells was determined using MIT colorimetric assay, and the apoptosis rate of SKOV3 cells was measured using flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to detect the expressions of Bax and Bcl-2. Results: When compared with the control group, the proliferation rates of SKOV3 cells in the three lycopene groups were significantly lower (P < 0.05) while the apoptosis rates were significantly higher (P < 0.05). After lycopene treatment, the protein expression of Bax (an apoptotic protein) in SKOV3 cells increased significantly, and the protein expression of Bcl-2 (an anti-apoptotic protein) decreased significantly. Conclusion: Lycopene could inhibit the proliferation of SKOV3 cells and enhance their apoptosis in vitro. The induction of cell apoptosis might be mediated by up-regulating Bax expression and down-regulating Bcl-2 expression.