<p>The antiestrogenic effects of black cohosh on BRCA1 and steroid receptors in breast cancer cells</p>

Abstract

Background Black cohosh (BC) is an herbal remedy often used by women to treat symptoms associated with menopause. Research has shown that the molecular activity of BC is associated with estrogen receptor alpha (ER-α) regulation. Progesterone receptor (PR) expression is found to be consistent with ER expression and mutations in the BRCA1 gene, a tumor-suppressor gene, are known to be responsible for about 40%–45% of hereditary breast cancers. Purpose The objective of this study was to determine the effects of BC alone, as well as in combination with hormones and antihormones, on cell viability and expression of ER-α, PR, and BRCA1 in both T-47D and MCF-7 cell lines. Methods Cells were cultured in charcoal-stripped serum prior to their treatment and subsequent protein extraction. Western blot analyses were performed following a Bio-Rad Bradford protein assay and SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis, with ECL luminescence and Image Studio Lite software. Cellular viability assays were performed using propidium iodine (PI) staining, and the distribution of fluorescent structures was evaluated through confocal microscopy. RT-qPCR analysis was performed on extracted cellular RNA. All statistical analyses were performed using SPSS software, and data was subjected to Kruskal-Wallis testing, followed by post-hoc analysis using the Mann-Whitney U-test to determine the statistical significance of all findings. Results Western blot analysis displayed significant alterations of ER-α, PR, and BRCA1 protein levels after 24-hour treatment with 80–500 μM BC. BC displayed a concentration-dependent decrease on ER-α and BRCA1 expression, with an 87% reduction of ER-α expression and a 43% of BRCA1 expression in T-47D cells compared to control. After six days of treatment with 400 μM BC, a 50% decrease in cell proliferation was observed. Following 24 hours of co-treatment with 400 μM BC and 10 nM E 2 , ER-α was downregulated by 90% and BRCA1 expression was reduced by 70% compared to control. The expression of PR, following the same treatment, exhibited similar effects. The proliferative effect of E 2 was reduced in the presence of BC. Conclusion Black Cohosh demonstrates substantial anti-cancer properties, and this study may significantly aid in the understanding of the molecular effects of BC on ER-α, PR, and BRCA1 in breast cancer cells.

Downregulated microRNA‑140‑5p expression regulates apoptosis, migration and invasion of lung cancer cells by targeting zinc finger protein 800

“…Western blotting was performed using the Bio-Rad general protocol ( 38 ). Cell lysates were prepared from lung cancer cells (H292, CL1-5, PC-9 and H460) and NHBE cells and total protein were subsequently extracted using (1X) radioimmunoprecipitation assay (RIPA) buffer (cat.…”

Immunomodulatory effects of icariin in a myocardial infarction mouse model

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Benefits of Black Cohosh (Cimicifuga racemosa) for Women Health: An Up-Close and In-Depth Review

“…USP recommends CR products must be labelled with a cautionary statement such as: "Discontinue use and consult a healthcare practitioner if you have a liver disorder or develop symptoms of liver trouble, such as abdominal pain, dark urine, or jaundice". Nevertheless, the U.S. FDA does not need such caution on labels of CR products [125] The American Herbal Products Association, 2013…”

“…One of the latest studies claimed that CR revealed significant anti-cancer properties on the expression of PR, ER-α, and BRCA1 in MCF-7 and T-47D mammary cancer cell lines. Furthermore, they revealed that in presence of CR, the proliferative action of estrogen was decreased, hence altering the growth of hormone-dependent mammary cancer cells [ 125 ]. Another study investigating the effects of standardized CR extract and its key triterpene actein on growth rates and the metabolism of the steroid hormone in human breast cancer cell lines concluded that it did not promote cell growth in breast cancer cell lines, or have any impact on estrogen concentration.…”