Effects of 5-hydroxy-4'-nitro-7-propionyloxy-genistein on inhibiting proliferation and invasion via activating reactive oxygen species in human ovarian cancer A2780/DDP cells.

5-hydroxy-4'-nitro-7-propionyloxy-genistein (HNPG), a novel synthetic isoflavone derivative, was demonstrated to possess antitumor activity in gastric cancer and breast cancer in vitro, but its antitumor effect and mechanism in ovarian cancer has not been characterized. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of HNPG on inhibiting the proliferation and invasion in human ovarian cancer A2780 cell lines of cisplatin resistance (A2780/DDP) and elucidate its underlying molecular mechanism. The results indicated that HNPG presented with marked antitumor activity against A2780/DDP cells in vitro, significantly inhibited the rates of proliferation, clone formation, invasion and metastasis, and markedly induced apoptosis in dose- and time-dependent manner. Simultaneously, levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) were increased and mitochondrial membrane potential was decreased. In addition, Bcl-2 expression was downregulated, Bax expression was upregulated, and the ratio of Bcl-2/Bax was decreased. Concurrently, levels of Cyt-C were markedly enhanced and the caspase cascade was triggered. Taken together, the results suggested that HNPG exerted anticancer effects through promoting ROS accumulation in cells, triggering mitochondrial apoptotic pathways and ultimately resulting in cells apoptosis. Therefore, HNPG serves as a potential candidate in the chemoprevention and/or treatment of cisplatin-resistant human ovarian cancer.