J Korean Breast Cancer Soc.  2003 Dec;6(4):277-282.

Inhibition of Cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) Expression by Genistein in Breast Cancer Cell-line

• Song H
• Koo TY
• Park JH
• Song KH
• Kim ST
• Choi IS
• Choi WJ
• Mok WK
• Min HS
• Yoon DS

Abstract

PURPOSE
The isoflavones in soy are likely to contribute to the historically low incidence of breast cancer among Asian women that consume traditional diets. A possible role of isoflavones in controlling the expression of cyclooxygenase-2 (Cox-2) has not previously been explored. In this study, the ability of the isoflavone, genistein, to regulate the expression of Cox-2 in breast cancer cells was evaluated. METHODS: The effects of genistein and NS-398, a Cox-2 inhibitor, were examined on the expression of Cox-2 at the mRNA level using the MDA-MB 231, and MCF-7 breast cancer cell-lines. RESULTS: In the MCF-7 cells, the Cox-2 mRNA could not be detected using RT-PCR. In the MDA-MB-231 cells, NS-398 and genistein were found to inhibit the Cox-2 mRNA expressions by 50 and 35~40%, respectively. CONCLUSION: These studies suggest that dietary isoflavonoids may contribute to the prevention or inhibition of breast cancer by inhibiting the Cox-2 expression.

Keyword

Breast carcinoma; Cox-2inhibitor; Genistein

MeSH Terms

Asian Continental Ancestry Group
Breast Neoplasms*
Breast*
Cyclooxygenase 2*
Diet
Female
Genistein*
Humans
Incidence
Isoflavones
MCF-7 Cells
RNA, Messenger
Cyclooxygenase 2
Genistein
Isoflavones
RNA, Messenger