Inhibitory Effect of Hydroxysafflor Yellow B on the Proliferation of Human Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cells

BACKGROUND: A recent patent has been issued for hydroxysafflor yellow A (HSYA) as a drug to prevent blood circulation disorders. Hydroxysafflor yellow B (HSYB), an isomer of HSYA with antioxidative effects, has been isolated from the florets of Carthamus tinctorius. The effects of HSYB on the proliferation of cancer cells and its mechanism of action have not been investigated. OBJECTIVE: The aims of this study were to investigate the anti-cancer effects and the molecular mechanism of HSYB for breast cancer MCF-7 cells. METHODS: MTT assays and colony formation assays were used to assess the survival and proliferation of MCF-7 cells, respectively. Hoechst 33258 and flow cytometry were used to measure cell apoptosis and flow cytometry to determine effects on the cell cycle. Western blots were used to measure protein levels. RESULTS: Treatment with HSYB reduced survival and proliferation of human breast cancer MCF-7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, HSYB arrested the MCF-7 cell cycle at the S phase and downregulated cyclin D1, cyclin E, and CDK2. Compared with a control group, HSYB suppressed the protein levels of p-PI3K, PI3K, AKT, and p-AKT in MCF-7 cells. In addition, HSYB decreased the levels of Bcl- 2, increased the levels of Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and caspase-9, and subsequently induced MCF-7 cell apoptosis. CONCLUSION: These data demonstrate that HSYB arrests the MCF-7 cell cycle at the S phase and induces cell apoptosis. Patent US20170246228 indicates that HSYB can be potentially used for the prevention and treatment of human breast cancer.