Abstract

Background: Ovarian cancer and ovarian related diseases affect reproductive health. Therapeutic molecules are needed to improve treatment outcomes and overcome drug resistance. The benzimidazole-based sulphonamide LLW-3-6 has both anti-apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects when used to treat prostate, breast, and brain cancer cells.

Objective: The study described herein evaluates the anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects of LLW-3-6 in SKOV-3 ovarian cystadenocarcinoma cell line.

Methods: Studies were conducted using SKOV-3 cells treated with LLW-3-6. The cell line was propagated and proliferative activity was evaluated by hemocytometric and MTT colorimetric assays. Cellular apoptosis was assessed using caspase-3 spectrophotometric analysis. Lastly, a scratch wound assay was conducted at several concentrations and time points to assess the effect of LLW-3-6 on migration.

Results & Discussion: Proliferative studies suggest, SKOV-3 cells exposed to LLW-3-6 in culture resulted in decreased growth and proliferation of cells in a time and dose-dependent manner. The apoptotic effect of this agent was noted with the confirmed presence of Caspase-3 in a dose and time-dependent manner as well. Preliminary studies also suggest an anti-migratory effect of LLW-3- 6, confirmed by scratch wound analysis.

Conclusion: LLW-3-6 is potentially a chemotherapeutic option for decreasing proliferation and inducing apoptosis in ovarian carcinomas. Additional biological analysis are ongoing to further assess the utility of the molecule and its mechanism of action.

Keywords: Anti-migratory, anti-proliferation, benzimidazole, LLW-3-6, ovarian cancer, SKOV-3.