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The effects of genistein on MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cell proliferation
Author(s) -
Jordan Clayton,
Munzlinger Megan,
Potterfield April,
Mayne Jeff
Publication year - 2009
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.23.1_supplement.lb19
Subject(s) - genistein , phytoestrogens , mcf 7 , cell growth , trypan blue , chemistry , cell , cancer research , carcinogen , mtt assay , medicine , estrogen receptor , endocrinology , breast cancer , cancer , pharmacology , estrogen , biochemistry , human breast
Genistein, an isoflavonoid present in soybeans and soy products, is said to exhibit anti‐carcinogenic effects. However, blood plasma phytoestrogen levels over 10 μM, which are generally considered inhibitory, are difficult to achieve physiologically. In the present study, MCF‐7 and MDA‐MB‐231 breast cancer cells were treated with genistein at 2, 7 and 12 μM after 24 hours, refreshed on day 3, and cell proliferation was assessed on day 6 using the trypan blue method for both cell types, and MTT assays for the MDA‐MB‐231 cells. It was found that genistein stimulated cell proliferation by 52.06% at 2 μM and 53.26% at 7 μM for MCF‐7 cells, while there was no stimulation at 12 μM. Genistein stimulated cell proliferation by 77.95% at 2 μM for MDA‐MB‐231 cells, while not at 7 or 12 μM. The results from this study would suggest that physiologically relevant levels of phytoestrogens might have a proliferative effect on both estrogen‐receptor positive and negative breast cancers.