Effects of Schisandra Chinensis on Human Breast Cancer Cells

Abstract

Fruits of Schisandra chinensis (SC) Baill are considered a traditional herbal medicine for the treatment and alleviation of various diseases. The purpose of this study was to investigate the anti-cancer effects of SC extract in human breast adenocarcinoma cells (MCF-7). We used human breast adenocarcinoma cell line, MCF-7 cells. We examined cell death by MTT assay and caspase 3 and 9 assay with SC extract. To examine the inhibitory effects of SC extract, cell cycle (sub G1) analysis and mitochondrial membrane depolarization was done the MCF-7 cells after one day with SC extract. In addition, to investigate the transient receptor potential melastatin 7 (TRPM7) currents, we used the whole cell patch clamp techniques. Furthermore, TRPM7 channels were overexpressed in human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 cells to identify the role of TRPM7 channels in MCF-7 cell growth and survival. SC extract inhibited the growth of MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent fashion. Also we showed that SC extract induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells by MTT assay, caspase 3 and 9 assay, sub-G1 analysis and mitochondrial membrane depolarization. SC extract inhibited the TRPM7 currents in MCF-7 cells and in TRPM7 overexpressed HEK 293 cells. Furthermore, TRPM7 channel overexpression in HEK 293 cells exacerbated SC extract-induced cell death. Our findings provide insight into unraveling the effects of SC extract in human breast adenocarcinoma cells and developing therapeutic agents against breast cancer. 