The effect of morphine on the proliferation of human ovarian epithelial cancer A2780cp cell line

Abstract

Background: Morphine is used widely to treat severe pain in some medical conditions including cancer. Previous studies have shown conflicting reports about the effect of this analgesic drug on the proliferation and growth of various cancer cells. The aim of the present study was determining the effect of this drug (20-600 $\mu g/ml$) on the proliferation of ovarian cancer A2780cp cell line. To investigate the effect of morphine on A2780cp cell line, morphological changes were studied with inverted microscope, the viability of cells was determined with trypan blue staining and MTT assay, and the type of cell death was determined using flowcytometry analysis. Results: Morphological and molecular analysis have revealed traces of apoptosis. Trypan blue staining and MTT assay have shown deceasing of viability in does and time dependent manners with IC50 from 385-510 $\mu g/ml$ for 24-72 hours. Flowcytometry analyzes revealed 20.97% apoptosis after treatment with 300 $\mu g/ml$ morphine for 48 hours. Discussion: Our findings suggest that morphine can reduce the proliferation and growth of A2780cp cell line with inducing apoptosis more than necrosis in this type of cells.