OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Astragalus mongholicus injection on proliferation and apoptosis in hormone sensitive breast cancer cell lines (MCF-7) with physiological dose E2.

METHODS

Cell control group, TAM control group and five different dose Astragalus mongholicus injection groups with physiological dose E2 were set in the study. Proliferation of MCF-7 cells were evaluated with MTT assay, cell apoptotic rate were measured with flow cytometry, DNA ladder and cell cycle were observed.

RESULTS

In physiological dose E2, Astragalus mongholicus injection inhibited MCF-7 cells proliferation at all concentration groups. As time lasting, Astragalus mongholicus injection showed better inhibitory effect than TAM (P<0.05). Among 2 x 10(-1) g/mL-2 x 10(-4) g/mL concentration, Astragalus mongholicus injection significantly increased the proliferative percent of G0/G1 and S-phase cell, decreased percent of G2-M phase cell (P<0.05) at 24 hours. After cocultured 72 hours, Astragalus mongholicus injection increased the rate of apoptosis to 16.7% at 2 x 10(-1) g/mL concentration.

CONCLUSIONS

In some dose limit, Astragalus mongholicus injection may inhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and interrupt caryocinesia at G0-G1 phase or S phase in hormone sensitive (MCF-7) breast cancer cell lines with physiological dose E2.