Objective    To study the biological effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on human ovary cancer cells and to explore the molecular mechanism.     Methods    Human ovary cancer cell line SKOV3 were co-cultured with GSPE solution of the terminal concentrations of 25

50

100

200

400 μg/ml respectively in 96-well plate. At 24

48

72 h after coculture

the following parameters were detected: cell growth curve

the inhibition rate of SKOV3 cells by MTT assay

DNA cycle by FCM

the apoptosis of SKOV3 by TUNEL and Annexin-V labeling method

the mRNA and protein expressions of survivin by semi-quantitative RT-PCR and Western blotting

respectively.     Results    GSPE dose-dependently inhibited the proliferation of the SKOV3 cells. Treated by GSPE

the progress of SKOV3 cells at S stage into G/M stage was inhibited. TUNEL showed that treated by 25 μg/ml GSPE for 24

48 h

the apoptotic rates of SKOV3 cells were 31.98%

45.78% respectively. Annexin-V showed that after incubation with 25 μg/ml GSPE for 24 h

the apoptotic rate was 14.68%. The survivin mRNA and protein expressions were both down-regulated.     Conclusion    GSPE inhibits the proliferation of malignant human ovary cancer cells and induces their apoptosis. Expression of survivin mRNA and protein may be related to cell growth inhibition and to the apoptosis mediated by GSPE in vitro.