LB822 Nutraceuticals known to promote hair growth do not interfere with the inhibitory action of tamoxifen in breast cancer cells

Abstract

A common side effect of tamoxifen therapy in estrogen receptor (ER) positive breast cancer is hair loss/thinning. Some nutraceutical ingredients known to promote hair growth are avoided during breast cancer therapy for fear of phytoestrogenic activity. However, not all botanical ingredients have similarities to estrogens or they don’t necessary activate proliferation inducer ERα, and in fact, no information exists as to the true interaction of these ingredients with tamoxifen. Kelp, Astaxanthin, Saw Palmetto, Tocotrienols, Maca, Horsetail, Resveratrol, Curcumin and Ashwagandha were assessed, alone or in combination, for MCF7, T47D and BT483 breast cancer cell line proliferation (Alamar Blue and BrdU, +/- 17β-estradiol 10nM, and/or tamoxifen 2-5μM) and for ERα/β expression (qRT-PCR, western blot and immunocytochemistry).