Antiproliferative Effects of Phytoestrogens Formononetin and Resveratrol Against Human Pulmonary Adenocarcinoma Cells A 549

Abstract

Phytoestrogens are phytoalexins, plant secondary metabolites produced in response to microbial attacks and other forms of external stress stimuli. These compounds are devoid of the steroidal structure of endogenous estrogens but could bind with estrogen receptors with great affinity as they have structural similarity with endogenous/synthetic estrogens. Phytoestrogens are reported to possess several health benefits including cardio protective, antidiabetic, antioxidant and anti osteoporotic properties. Phytoestrogens like genistein, daidzein, and equol have been reported to possess excellent anti proliferative and anticancer properties. Formononetin, is a phytoestrogen, isoflavone widely present in red clover (Trifolium pratense) and resveratrol is a phytoestrogen which is widely present in red grapes (Vitis vinifera). The cardio protective property of red wine has been attributed to the presence of resveratrol. Although formononetin and resveratrol have been investigated extensively for several pharmacological properties, reports on their anti proliferative effects especially against human pulmonary carcinoma cell lines are very less. Hence the current study aims to understand the influence of these two compounds on the growth of human pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell line A 549. MTT assay, cytomorphology analysis by phase contrast microscopy, DNA topology assay and DPPH assay were few assays which were performed to understand the antiproliferative and antioxidant effects of these compounds. Results of the study indicated the potent antiproliferative effects of these compounds against human pulmonary carcinoma cell lines implicating that these compounds could be potential therapeutic molecules with multifaceted roles as anticancer agents, potent antioxidants and anti inflammatory agents.