Pimaric acid is a naturally occurring resin and has been found to perform many pharmacological activities including, anticancer activity. However, the role of
Pimaric acid in
ovarian cancer is still not known. This investigation aimed to evaluate the anticancer effects of
Pimaric acid and its molecular mechanism in human
ovarian cancer cells. MTT assay was used to examine cell viability. Cell morphology was determined through phase contrast microscopy.
DAPI staining and TUNEL assay were performed for apoptotic study. Examination of cell cycle phase distribution was carried out through flow cytometry. In vitro wound healing assay was used for cell migration determination.
Pimaric acid induced cytotoxicity in human
ovarian cancer cells (PA-1) in a dose-dependent manner without causing too much cytotoxicity in human ovarian epithelial cells (T1074). Cell morphology in treated
cancer cells showed significant changes compared to untreated controls. Furthermore, it was observed that the cytotoxic effects of
Pimaric acid were apoptosis-mediated and
caspase-dependent cascade. Western blotting analysis showed that the expression of apoptosis-associated
proteins like BAX, p-53 and
caspase-3 was enhanced and BCL-2 expression was diminished. The induction of cytotoxicity was mediated via endoplasmic reticulum stress through expressions of related
proteins which showed a tremendous increase in p-PERK, PERK, AT-4, CHOP and IRE-1 levels
after treatment. Cell cycle analysis through cytometry showed significant results as it revealed G2/M phase cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, the in vitro wound healing assay showed specific anti-migratory effects of
Pimaric acid on PA-1 cells. In conclusion it can be assumed that
Pimaric acid may act as a potential
anticancer agent against ovarian
carcinoma, however further investigations are required to validate this initial claim.