Model
Digital Document
Publisher
Florida Atlantic University
Description
The therapeutic potential of pomegranate and genistein on growth inhibition of human breast cancer cells was investigated. Methods. Cells (MCF-7) were initially cultured for 48 hr to achieve 80% confluence; and then exposed to the agents in single and combination treatments. Post-treatment analysis was done by using a series of bioassays, including LDH, MTS, AcrO-EthBr, Annexin-FITC and TUNEL assays for growth inhibition and apoptosis detection; and Caspase-3 and NQO1 for molecular pathways of apoptosis. Results. Pomegranate and genistein showed significant dose- and time-dependent cytotoxic and growth inhibition effects as well as apoptosis induction in MCF-7 cancer cells, with significantly higher ( P < 0.01) effects in the combination treatments than in the single treatments. Both drugs induced apoptosis through a caspase-mediated mechanism and independent of NQO1. Discussion and conclusions. Pomegranate and genistein inhibit the growth of MCF-7 breast cancer cells through induction of apoptosis with combination treatment being more efficacious than single treatments.
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