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Anti‐proliferative effect of hop ( Humulus lupulus L.) flavonoids is linked to their aromatase inhibiting potential
Author(s) -
Monteiro Rosário,
Faria Ana,
Azevedo Isabel,
Calhau Conceição
Publication year - 2007
Publication title -
the faseb journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.709
H-Index - 277
eISSN - 1530-6860
pISSN - 0892-6638
DOI - 10.1096/fasebj.21.5.a363-d
Subject(s) - xanthohumol , humulus lupulus , chemistry , aromatase , cell growth , polyphenol , apoptosis , biochemistry , pharmacology , hop (telecommunications) , biology , medicine , breast cancer , cancer , food science , antioxidant , computer network , pepper , computer science
Plant‐based foods are regarded as a source of bioactive compounds with potential to promote health. Some of the benefits arise from their content in polyphenols, a wide group of molecules with effects on carcinogenesis. Hop ( Humulus lupulus L.) flavonoids have been related to several different anti‐tumour effects, although their mechanisms of actions are still largely unknown. The aim of this work was to study the effect of the prenylflavonoids from hops, xanthohumol, isoxanthohumol and 8‐prenylnaringenin on breast cancer Sk‐Br‐3 cell line proliferation and apoptosis, and investigate the involvement of aromatase activity regulation in their putative effects. Cell proliferation was assessed through [ 3 H]thymidine incorporation, sulforhodamine B protein measurement and Ki‐67 immunostaining, apoptosis was determined by TUNEL and aromatase activity was determined by tritiated water release assay. Results show that cell proliferation decreased and apoptosis was induced by all three compounds. Additionally, aromatase activity was inhibited. Addition of 17β‐estradiol to test media abrogated part of the effects of the prenylflavonoids on proliferation. These observations point out a new mechanism of action for the anti‐breast cancer effects of hop polyphenols, namely through inhibition of estrogen production. Supported by FCT (POCTI, FEDER, Programa Comunitário de Apoio and SFRH/BD/12622/2003).