Effects of Astragalus injection on proliferation and apoptosis of basal-like breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231

Objective To investigate the effects of Astragalus injection on proliferation and apoptosis of basal-like breast cancer cell line MDA-MB-231.Methods There were six groups used in this study:one control group(cell culture without Astragalus injection) and five experimental groups in which MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured with Astragalus injection at doses of(2×10-1 g/ml),(2×10-2 g/ml),(2×10-3 g/ml),(2×10-4 g/ml),and(2×10-5 g/ml),respectively.Proliferation of MDA-MB-231 cells were evaluated with MTT assay,and cell apoptotic rate and cell cycle were measured with flow cytometry.The OD values of Astragalus injection acting on MDA-MB-231 cells for 48 and 72 hours were determined using variance analysis;chi-square test was used for the comparison of cell proportion in each cell cycle phase at 48 hours among all groups.Results At 48 hour coculture,in all the experimental groups the cell proliferation was inhibited(P0.01),which showed a dose dependence;and cell apoptosis was accelerated at the high dosage group(2×10-1～2×10-2 g/ml)(χ2=8.01,P=0.00).At 72 hour coculture,the inhibiting effect of Astragalus injection still maintained at the high dosage group,but reduced with the concentration degrade;MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation was increased at the low dosage group(2×10-4～2×10-5 g/ml)(P0.01).Conclusion Astragalus injection can inhibit MDA-MB-231 cell growth and accelerate its apoptosis.It may benefit basal-like breast cancer patients.