Phytochemical-induced apoptotic cell death in breast cancer cells

Breast cancer is the most common malignant cancer and leading cause of death in women between the ages of 40 and 55. Among dietary phytochemicals with demonstrated anti-tumor activities are genistein (4', 5', 7-trihydroxyisoflavone) and pomegranate (punica granatum). The present study was to demonstrate the potential anticancer activities of genistein and pomegranate and the mechanism of action in human breast cancer cells. Study design. MCF-7 cells were grown in RPMI medium and then seeded in 48-well MTP, and cultured at 37C, 5% CO2 for 36hr to achieve 80-90% confluence. The cells were then exposed to varying concentrations of genistein and pomegranate for 24 and 48hr. The treated cells were tested for (i) post-treatment sensitivity using MTT and Trypan Blue exclusion assay, and (ii) treatment-induced apoptosis using Rh123, Acridine Orange-Ethidium Bromide nuclear stains and Caspase binding assay. Results. Data indicated that both compounds effectively killed cancer cells mostly via apoptosis induction.