Effect of genistein and quercetin on proliferation and cell cycle in human breast carcinoma cells

Aim To investigate the effects of genistein and quercetin on the proliferation of mammary cancer cells in vitro.Methods Effects of genistein and quercetin on the cell proliferation were tested in ER-positive MCF-7 cell,T47D cell and ER-negative MDA-MB231 cell by MTT measurement.The estrogen-like effect of genistein and quercetin and their relation with the estrogen-receptor were evaluated by pure estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780 as a tool.Cell cycle was examined by flow cytometry.Results Quercetin and genistein stimulated proliferation of ER-positive MCF-7 cell and T47D 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,and PI was also increased.The above function on boosting MCF-7 cell proliferation could be inhibited by adding estrogen receptor antagonist ICI 182780.Conclusions Genistein and quercetin have the estrogen-like activities through the estrogen response pathway.