Bavachin enhances paclitaxel sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells through modulation of mitochondrial function and ER stress

Bavachin, a bioactive phytoestrogen from Psoralea corylifolia, has shown promising therapeutic potential in various cancers, but its effects on ovarian cancer remain unexplored. In this study, we investigate the anti-cancer mechanisms of bavachin in ES2 and OV90 ovarian cancer cells and its potentia...

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Main Authors: Sang-Jin Lee, Kee K. Kim, Jin-Young Lee
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Taylor & Francis Group 2025-12-01
Series:Animal Cells and Systems
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Online Access:https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19768354.2025.2520852
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author Sang-Jin Lee
Kee K. Kim
Jin-Young Lee
author_facet Sang-Jin Lee
Kee K. Kim
Jin-Young Lee
author_sort Sang-Jin Lee
collection DOAJ
description Bavachin, a bioactive phytoestrogen from Psoralea corylifolia, has shown promising therapeutic potential in various cancers, but its effects on ovarian cancer remain unexplored. In this study, we investigate the anti-cancer mechanisms of bavachin in ES2 and OV90 ovarian cancer cells and its potential to enhance paclitaxel sensitivity. Bavachin significantly inhibited cell proliferation and spheroid formation while inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis through modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins. Mechanistically, bavachin disrupted mitochondrial function by inducing membrane depolarization and calcium dysregulation, leading to comprehensive impairment of cellular bioenergetics including both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. Furthermore, bavachin activated the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway as evidenced by upregulation of GRP78, ATF4, PERK, and CHOP, and notably inhibited phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways essential for tumor cells survival. Combination treatment with bavachin enhanced the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel, showing synergistic anti-cancer activity in both cell lines. These findings demonstrate that bavachin effectively suppresses ovarian cancer growth through multiple mechanisms and may serve as a promising therapeutic agent, particularly in combination with conventional chemotherapy.
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spelling doaj-art-e54ca0dd7ab0440e830cc921bab9c4352025-08-20T03:17:23ZengTaylor & Francis GroupAnimal Cells and Systems1976-83542151-24852025-12-0129141442510.1080/19768354.2025.2520852Bavachin enhances paclitaxel sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells through modulation of mitochondrial function and ER stressSang-Jin Lee0Kee K. Kim1Jin-Young Lee2Department of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biochemistry, College of Natural Sciences, Chungnam National University, Daejeon, Republic of KoreaDepartment of Biological Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Keimyung University, Daegu, Republic of KoreaBavachin, a bioactive phytoestrogen from Psoralea corylifolia, has shown promising therapeutic potential in various cancers, but its effects on ovarian cancer remain unexplored. In this study, we investigate the anti-cancer mechanisms of bavachin in ES2 and OV90 ovarian cancer cells and its potential to enhance paclitaxel sensitivity. Bavachin significantly inhibited cell proliferation and spheroid formation while inducing caspase-dependent apoptosis through modulation of Bcl-2 family proteins. Mechanistically, bavachin disrupted mitochondrial function by inducing membrane depolarization and calcium dysregulation, leading to comprehensive impairment of cellular bioenergetics including both oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis. Furthermore, bavachin activated the endoplasmic reticulum stress pathway as evidenced by upregulation of GRP78, ATF4, PERK, and CHOP, and notably inhibited phosphorylation of ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling pathways essential for tumor cells survival. Combination treatment with bavachin enhanced the cytotoxic effects of paclitaxel, showing synergistic anti-cancer activity in both cell lines. These findings demonstrate that bavachin effectively suppresses ovarian cancer growth through multiple mechanisms and may serve as a promising therapeutic agent, particularly in combination with conventional chemotherapy.https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19768354.2025.2520852Bavachinovarian cancermitochondrial dysfunctionER stresspaclitaxel resistance
spellingShingle Sang-Jin Lee
Kee K. Kim
Jin-Young Lee
Bavachin enhances paclitaxel sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells through modulation of mitochondrial function and ER stress
Animal Cells and Systems
Bavachin
ovarian cancer
mitochondrial dysfunction
ER stress
paclitaxel resistance
title Bavachin enhances paclitaxel sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells through modulation of mitochondrial function and ER stress
title_full Bavachin enhances paclitaxel sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells through modulation of mitochondrial function and ER stress
title_fullStr Bavachin enhances paclitaxel sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells through modulation of mitochondrial function and ER stress
title_full_unstemmed Bavachin enhances paclitaxel sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells through modulation of mitochondrial function and ER stress
title_short Bavachin enhances paclitaxel sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells through modulation of mitochondrial function and ER stress
title_sort bavachin enhances paclitaxel sensitivity in ovarian cancer cells through modulation of mitochondrial function and er stress
topic Bavachin
ovarian cancer
mitochondrial dysfunction
ER stress
paclitaxel resistance
url https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/10.1080/19768354.2025.2520852
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AT keekkim bavachinenhancespaclitaxelsensitivityinovariancancercellsthroughmodulationofmitochondrialfunctionanderstress
AT jinyounglee bavachinenhancespaclitaxelsensitivityinovariancancercellsthroughmodulationofmitochondrialfunctionanderstress