Effects of Genistein on biological behavior of human hepatocarcinoma cells in vitro

【Objective】 To explore the effect of Genistein(Gen) on the biological behaviors including proliferation,adhesion,migration and invasion capabilities of hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC7721 cells in vitro.【Methods】 SMMC7721 cells were treated with Genistein at different concentrations for various time.Cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay.The migration and invasion capabilities of SMMC7721 cells were determined by Transwell method(Boyden chamber).Expression levels of Snail mRNA and protein in SMMC7721 cells were determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively.【Results】 Genistein significantly inhibited the proliferation of SMMC7721 cells in a concentration-dependent manner(P 0.01).At the same concentration of Genistein,the inhibition ratio of cell proliferation was significantly higher at 48 h and 72 h than that at 24 h(P 0.01).Low toxic concentration(10 μmol/L) of Genistein significantly decreased the adhesion capability of SMMC7721 cells by 29.22%,27.35%,26.58% and 24.19% at 30,60,90 and 120 min respectively(P 0.01).After treatment with 10 μmol/L Genistein for 24 h,the inhibitory rates of cell migration and invasion were 54.79% and 55.42% respectively.A significant down-regulation of Snail mRNA and protein levels was observed in SMMC7721 cells after treatment with 10 μmol/L Genistein for 3,5 and 7 d,respectively(P 0.05).【Conclusions】 Genistein inhibits the proliferation of liver cancer SMMC7721 cells.Genistein suppresses the adhesion,migration and invasion capabilities of SMMC7721 cells at low toxic concentration.The mechanism may be related to the down-regulation of Snail expression.