Anticarcinogenic effects of genistein and anthocyanin extract in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

This study investigated potential apoptotic and anti-proliferative effects of the phytochemicals, genistein and anthocyanin extract, as single and combined treatments in MCF-7 human breast cancer cells. Cells were exposed to single and combined treatments with the phytochemiclas for 48 and 72 hours. Cell viability was assessed using the MTT bioassay. Apoptosis induction was assessed using acridine orange ethidium bromide and rhodamine 123 ethidium bromide fluorescence assays. Both singe and combination treatments induced dose- and time-dependent apoptotic cell death in MCF-7 cells. The percentage of apoptosis was higher in combination treatments than single treatments with either phytochemical, although the difference was not statistically significant. The combination of genistein and anthocyanin extract peaked in efficacy at 48 hours of treatment, to exhibit significantly greater (P<. O5) dose- and time-dependent cell cytotoxicity than single treatments. This study reveals potential chemopreventive implications for the complementary effects of genistein and anthocyanin extract.