Effect of Extract of Acanthopanax Senticosus Fruit on Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Objectives: Acanthopanax senticosus is a tree used in traditional medicine for various diseases. In this study, we investigated the anti-cancer effects of a water extract of Acanthopanax senticocus fruit (ASF) on 2 human breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231).Methods: The MTT assay was used to assess cell proliferation. The expression of apoptosis-related genes was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR.Results: ASF treatment caused a dose-dependent inhibition of cell growth in both estrogen-independent MDA-MB-231 and estrogen-dependent MCF-7 breast cancer cells. ASF decreased mRNA expression of the apoptotic suppressor gene Bcl-xL, and increased mRNA expression of proapoptotic genes. ASF increased the mRNA expression of p21 and RIP-1 in both cell types. ASF decreased the mRNA expression of survivin in the MCF-7 cell line.Conclusions: ASF exhibits anti-cancer activity involving apoptotic cell death.