Effect of tripterine on human breast cancer and its stem cells

Abstract

Objective To investigate the efficacy of tripterine for the treatment of the human breast cancer through the observation of cytotoxicity on human primary breast cancer cells and the stem cells in vitro.Methods Human primary breast cancer cells and breast cancer stem cells from breast invasive ductal carcinoma samples were cultured and inoculated with tripterine of three different concentrations (0.1,0.5,1.0 μmol/L).The cell killing and apoptosis were observed every day.Results Tripterine was cytotoxic for human primary breast cancer cells and breast cancer stem cells in vitro,but the cytotoxicity for human primary breast cancer cells was stronger than the stem cells.In the presence of tripterine 1 μmol/L after co-culture for 72 h,the apoptotic rate of human primary breast cancer cells and the stem cells was approximately 60％ and over 30％,respectively.The apoptosis rate in experimental group was significantly higher than in control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Tripterine can effectively induce apoptosis of human primary breast cancer cells and breast cancer stem cells in vitro. Key words: Breast neoplasms ; Stem cells ; Tripterine ; Apoptosis