[Effects of quercetin on the proliferation and apoptosis in transplantation tumor of breast cancer in nude mice].
OBJECTIVE
To investigate the effects of quercetin on tumour growth, cell proliferation and apoptosis in transplantation tumor of breast cancer cell line MCF-7 in nude mice.


METHODS
MCF-7 cells were inoculated into the mammary fatty pad of nude mice to establish breast cancer model, then twenty-four BALB/c nude mice with xenograft tumor were randomized into four groups: Control group, Quercetin group, 5-Fu group and Quercetin + 5-Fu group. After 15 days treatment, samples of tumor were collected. The sections of tumor were observed under light microscope and electron microscope. Cell apoptosis in situ was examined by a Tunel assay, and the expressions of ki67 antigen and B-cell lymphoma/leukemia-2 (Bcl-2) were detected by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
1. The tumor weight of Control group was significantly higher than those of Quercetin group, 5-Fu group and Quercetin + 5-Fu group (P < 0.05). 2. Immunohistochemical staining of ki67 showed that the ki67 label index (ki67-LI) displayed significant difference between Control group and Quercetin group, 5-Fu group, Quercetin + 5-Fu group, and so did the staining of Bcl-2. 3. Detection of apoptosis in situ showed that apoptosis index (AI) was significantly higher in Quercetin group, 5-Fu group and Quercetin + 5-Fu group than in control group (P < 0.01), and higher AI was observed in Quercetin + 5-Fu group as compared with the AI in Quercetin group and 5-Fu group (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Quercetin can inhibit the growth of transplantation tumor of breast cancer cell line MCF-7 in nude mice.
Zhong
Xiaogang
X
Department of General Surgery, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Wu
Kainan
K
He
Sheng
S
Ma
Shuangwei
S
Kong
Lingquan
L
D000818:Animals; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000494:pharmacology; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*; D002455:Cell Division / Q000187:drug effects; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D005260:Female; D051379:Mice; D008807:Mice, Inbred BALB C; D008819:Mice, Nude; D009368:Neoplasm Transplantation; D011794:Quercetin / Q000494:pharmacology*; D011897:Random Allocation
D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D011794:Quercetin