Effect of quercetin on the proliferation of the human ovarian cancer cell line SKOV-3 in vitro

Quercetin is a hydrophobic agent that demonstrates potential anticancer activity. The aim of the present study was to observe the effects of quercetin on the proliferation and apoptosis of the ovarian cancer cell line SKOV‑3, and to provide a foundation for the treatment of ovarian cancer using this agent. Ovarian cancer SKOV‑3 cells were treated with quercetin at different doses. The inhibitory effect of quercetin on proliferation was detected using the MTT assay and the inhibition rate was calculated. Cell apoptosis was determined using Hoechst staining, and western blot analysis was used to analyze changes in the expression levels of survivin protein. The effects of quercetin on the cell cycle and apoptosis of the SKOV‑3 cell line were analyzed using flow cytometry. Quercetin inhibited the proliferation of SKOV‑3 cells in a time‑ and dose‑dependent manner. Furthermore, Hoechst staining showed that quercetin induced SKOV‑3 cell apoptosis. The protein expression levels of survivin were reduced as the concentration of quercetin increased. Flow cytometric analysis showed that quercetin caused ovarian cancer SKOV‑3 cell cycle arrest in the G0/G1 phase and a significant decrease in the percentage of cells at the G2/M phase; furthermore, the apoptosis rate was observed to increase following quercetin treatment. The results in combination indicated that Quercetin could inhibit the proliferation of ovarian cancer SKOV‑3 cells, inhibit cell cycle progression from G0/G1 to G2/M and induce cell apoptosis in vitro.