In vitro Cytotoxic Activity of Flavonoids on Human Ovarian Cancer Cell Lines

Abstract

Ovarian carcinoma remains one of the most fatal female malignancies representing the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths in women. The progress in prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of this devastating disorder has been limited to date and therefore, the development of new treatment options is highly needed. In this review article, data about the in vitro cytotoxic action of naturally occurring flavonoids in various human ovarian cancer cell lines are compiled and analyzed, showing the growth inhibitory effects both in chemosensitive as well as chemoresistant cells. Anticancer action of these compounds is mediated through different cellular mechanisms including induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest, inhibition of cellular migration and invasion, suppression of expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, and triggering the non-apoptotic cell death. Also, estrogen receptors mediated mechanisms can be involved in the tumoricidal responses to flavonoids. As the resistance to conventional chemotherapy drugs is the most significant cause of treatment failure, the ability of several flavonoids to sensitize ovarian cancer cells to these drugs may have an important clinical significance and therapeutic applications in the management of ovarian tumors.