Icaritin induces ovarian cancer cell apoptosis through activation of p53 and inhibition of Akt/mTOR pathway.

•Icaritin induces equivalent apoptosis effects in both the cisplatin-sensitive and cisplatin-resistant ovarian cancer cells.•Icaritin possesses potent anticancer effects in ovarian cancer patient-derived xenografts.•Icaritin inhibits the tumor growth of patient-derived xenografts through activation of p53 and suppression of Akt/mTOR pathway.