Zinc pyrithione (
ZPT) is widely used as an antimicrobial.
Zinc is a necessary
trace element of the human whose homeostasis associated with several
cancers. However, the anticancer effect of increased
Zinc in
ovarian cancer is still unclear. This study focussed on the anti-tumour effects of
ZPT combined with
Zinc in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells. The cell viability, apoptosis, migration, and invasion assays were detected by
CCK-8, flow cytometry, wound healing and transwell assay, respectively. The distribution of
Zinc in cells was monitored by staining of
Zinc fluorescent dye and lysosome tracker. The changes in lysosomal membrane stability were reflected by
acridine orange fluorescence and
cathepsin D reposition. Expression of the
proteins about invasion and apoptosis was evaluated by western blot. The results indicated that
ZPT combined with
Zinc could notably reduce cell viability, inhibit migration and invasion in SKOV3 and SKOV3/DDP cells. Besides,
ZPT performed as a
Zinc carrier targeted lysosomes, caused the increase of its membrane permeability and the release of
cathepsin D accompanied by mitochondrial apoptosis in SKOV3/DDP cells. In conclusion, our work suggests that
ZPT combined with
Zinc could inhibit proliferation, migration, invasion, and promote apoptosis by trigger the lysosome-mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in ovarian
carcinoma.