Abstract

Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) have been identified as secondary intracellular messengers that exacerbate ovarian cancer progression. Eliminating ROS from the tumor microenvironment presents a compelling strategy for ovarian cancer treatment.In this study, we synthesized a unique spherical petal-like ZnO-NiO p-n junction and evaluated its effectiveness as a ROS scavenger, aiming to curb the proliferation and migration of ovarian cancer cells. Through CCK-8 assays, colony formation tests, and Transwell co-culture experiments, we observed that the ZnO-NiO junction curtails ovarian cancer cell proliferation and migration, all while ensuring negligible toxicity to normal human granulosa KGN cells. The anti-cancer efficacy of ZnO-NiO was further validated in vivo, employing an ovarian cancer peritoneal metastasis model.Techniques such as IVIS in vivo imaging, H & E staining, and Ki-67 immunostaining collectively attested that ZnO-NiO markedly obstruct ovarian cancer growth and metastasis. Notably, ZnO-NiO effectively alleviated the elevated levels of ROS induced by ovarian cancer cells in normal cells, and also reduced the oxidative stress levels in an ovarian cancer mouse model. Collectively, these findings underscore the potential of ZnO-NiO as a novel therapeutic avenue for ovarian cancer. They also amplify the promise of ROS-scavenging nanoparticles in clinical contexts. The pioneering work on ZnO-NiO not only heralds a promising intervention against ovarian cancer but also stimulates future explorations in ROS-centric cancer therapies.