Ginkgetin exerts growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects on osteosarcoma cells through inhibition of STAT3 and activation of caspase-3/9.

ABSTRACT

Osteosarcoma is composed of tumor osteoblasts and bone-like tissues, with malignant tumors originating from osteogenesis organization. Osteosarcoma is a primary malignant bone tumor. Invasion and metastasis of osteosarcoma affect the prognosis of patients. However, effective therapeutic treatments remain to be identified. The aim of the present study was to investigate the possible inhibitory and apoptotic effects of ginkgetin in osteosarcoma cells. 3.3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) assays were used to determine the effect ginkgetin exerted on the growth of osteosarcoma cells. Flow cytometry was used to determine cell apoptosis. STAT3 protein expression and activation of caspase-3/9 were measured using western blot analysis and the MTT and LDH assays, respectively. The results showed that ginkgetin inhibited cell growth and induced cell cytotoxicity in osteosarcoma cells in a dose-dependent manner. Treatment with ginkgetin significantly activated the apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells in a concentration-dependent manner. The anticancer activity of ginkgetin significantly inhibited STAT3 and promoted caspase-3/9 activation in osteosarcoma cells. The findings demonstrated that ginkgetin exerts growth inhibitory and apoptotic effects on osteosarcoma cells through the inhibition of STAT3 and activation of caspase-3/9.