Objective   To investigate the effects of grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) on the proliferation and apoptosis of  cisplatin-resistant  human ovarian cancer cell line COC1/DDP and explore the implying molecular mechanism.   Methods   COC1/DDP cells were cultured in the presence of GSPE (at 0

20

40

80

160 or 320 μg/ml) for 12

  24

36

48 or 72 h of culture. The morphological changes of COC1/DDP were observed with HE staining

and the proliferation was measured by MTT assay and cell apoptosis by flow cytometry and TUNEL. Western blot analysis were performed to detect the protein expression of Caspase-3.   Results   GSPE inhibited the growth of COC1/DDP cells in a concentration- and time-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis and TUNEL showed that GSPE induced apoptosis of COC1/DDP cells and the percentage of apoptotic cells was increased with the concentration of GSPE administered and also the elongation of treatment time. The expression of caspase-3 was upregulated in the course of COC1/DDP cell apoptosis when treated with GSPE.   Conclusion   GSPE inhibits the proliferation and induces cell apoptosis in the human ovarian cancer cell lines COC1/DDP

probably through upregulating caspase-3 expression.