Inhibitory effect of Panax ginseng C. A. Meyer on gynecological cancer

Abstract

The root of Panax ginseng C.A. Meyer (PG) has been used worldwide for thousands of years as a traditional medicine. Among its various beneficial pharmacological effects, the anticancer activity of ginseng has been considered as its most important pharmacological function. We investigated the potential effects of PG on cell growth, colony formation, and migration in 3 major gynecological cancer cell lines: ovarian (A2780 and SKOV3), cervical (HeLa and CaSki), and endometrial (Hec1A) cancers. MTT assay was performed to estimate the cell viability and short-term cell growth, and colony formation assay was carried out to examine the long-term cell growth. Cell migration was also investigated using transwell and wound-healing assay. PG was not significantly cytotoxic to the 3 major gynecological cancer cell lines, but it demonstrated significant inhibitory effects on the colony formation of all the cancer cell lines, except HeLa cells. We also found that PG had an inhibitory effect on the early stages of cell migration. In conclusion, PG has an inhibitory effect on colony formation of gynecological cancer cells and inhibits early stages of cellular migration.