Kaempferol induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells through activating p53 in the intrinsic pathway

► The polyphenol natural plant compound, kaempferol inhibits proliferation of ovarian cancer cells at 40-μm or higher concentrations. ► Kaempferol causes no cytotoxicity or necrosis in ovarian cancer cells. ► Kaempferol induces apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells. ► Kaempferol induces apoptosis through an intrinsic pathway in ovarian cancer cells. ► Kaempferol modulates expression of pro-apoptotic genes, p53, bad, and bax and antiapoptotic gene, bcl-xl toward apoptosis in ovarian cancer cells.