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Antiproliferative activity of lignans against the breast carcinoma cell lines MCF 7 and BT 20

  • Gynecologic Oncology
  • Published:
Archives of Gynecology and Obstetrics Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

Phytoestrogens are plant-derived, non-steroidal phytochemicals with anticarcinogenic potential. The major structural classes are the isoflavones and lignans. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of the plant-derived lignans secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol with the human lignans enterodiol and enterolactone as well as with 17β estradiol and tamoxifen on cell proliferation of breast carcinoma cell lines.

Methods

The influence of the lignans, 17β estradiol and tamoxifen on cell proliferation was determined using the BrdU test in MCF 7 and BT 20 cell lines.

Results

Enterodiol and enterolactone induced a stronger inhibition of cell growth in MCF 7 and BT 20 cells than secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol. The inhibition effects were less expressed in the BT 20 than in the MCF 7 cells.

Conclusions

The human lignans enterodiol and enterolactone are more biologically active than their precursors secoisolariciresinol and matairesinol, and may be defined as the real drugs in cancer prevention.

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Acknowledgments

The authors thank Mrs. C. Bauer and Mrs. E. Greschkowitz for technical assistance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Natural Sciences, Institute of Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Albert-Einstein-Strasse 3, 18059, Rostock, Germany

    Sibylle Abarzua, Tatsuo Serikawa & Birgit Piechulla

  2. Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Rostock, Südring 81, 18059, Rostock, Germany

    Marlen Szewczyk, Dagmar-Ulrike Richter & Volker Briese

Authors
  1. Sibylle Abarzua
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  2. Tatsuo Serikawa
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  3. Marlen Szewczyk
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Correspondence to Sibylle Abarzua.

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Abarzua, S., Serikawa, T., Szewczyk, M. et al. Antiproliferative activity of lignans against the breast carcinoma cell lines MCF 7 and BT 20. Arch Gynecol Obstet 285, 1145–1151 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-2120-6

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00404-011-2120-6

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