The inhibiting effect of genistein on the growth of human breast cancer cells in vitro

Objective: To study the inhibiting effect of genistein on the growth of human breast cancer cell lines in vitro and its mechanisms. Methods: Human breast cancer cell lines were cultured in vitro.The proliferation of cells was measured with MTT method and mitotic index curve. Apoptosis was shown with Giemsa and TUNEL methods. Results: Genistein inhibited proliferation of MCF-7 cell lines and the inhibition was dependent on dose within some concentration range and the time range, IC30 and IC50 being 17.5μmol/L and 32.0μmol/L respectively. The inhibition could be shown in the tests of the mitotic index and MTT. GEN could induce apoptosis and the inducement was dependent on dose but not on time, as well. Conclusion: Genistein obviously inhibits proliferation of MCF-7 in vitro and is dependent on dose and time. Genistein's antiproliferous effect on MCF-7 can be realized through inducing apoptosis.