Effect of Quercetin on Proliferation of Human Breast Carcinoma Cells

Objective To investigate the effects of quercetin on the proliferation of mammary cancer cell in vitro. Methods Effects of quercetin on the cell proliferation was tested in ER-positive MCF-7 cell and ER-negative MDA-MB231 cell by MTT measurement. And to evaluate the estrogen-like effect of quercetin and its relation with the estrogen-receptor by pure estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182, 780 as a tool. Cell cycle was examined by flow cytometry. Result Quercetin (10～50 μmol/L) stimulated proliferation of ER-positive MCF-7 cell compared with solvent control, whereas ER-negative MDA-MB231 cell proliferation effect was inhibited, and the cell cycle was impulsed from G1 to S, DNA synthesizing was inhanced, PI was also increased. The above function on boosting MCF-7 cell proliferation can be inhibited by adding estrogen receptor antagonism ICI182, 780. Conclusion Quercetin has the estrogen-like activities through the estrogen response pathway.