Effects of the aqueous extract of a Tibetan herb, Rhodiola algida var. tangutica on proliferation and HIF-1α, HIF-2α expression in MCF-7 cells under hypoxic condition in vitro.
BACKGROUND
Rhodiola algida var. tangutica is a traditional Tibetan herb. Its root and rhizome have been successfully used as an effective clinical remedy for the prevention and treatment of cancer and high-altitude sickness. This study aimed to investigate the effect of Rhodiola algida var. tangutica on hypoxic MCF-7 breast cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms.


METHODS
The antiproliferative effects of R. algida on MCF-7 breast cancer cells were compared in vitro under hypoxic and normal conditions by using MTT analysis. The influence of R. algida on cancer cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry. The expression levels of hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α and HIF-2α were evaluated by western blot analysis.


RESULTS
R. algida inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The results of flow cytometry indicated that the antiproliferative effect of R. algida was mediated by apoptosis induction. Pretreatment with R. algida significantly suppressed the hypoxia-induced proliferation and expression of HIF-1α and HIF-2α in MCF-7 breast cancer cells.


CONCLUSIONS
R. algida might exert an anti-carcinogenic effect on MCF-7 breast cancer cells by decreasing the protein levels of HIF-1α and HIF-2α, which are overexpressed under hypoxic conditions. This effect might be elicited by inhibiting the hypoxia-induced proliferation of MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
Qinghai Province people's Hospital, Xining, 810007 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China ; Research Center for High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, 16 Kunlun Road, Xining, 810001 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Yu-Juan
YJ
Qi
Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, 810001 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Sen
S
Cui
Research Center for High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, 16 Kunlun Road, Xining, 810001 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Dian-Xiang
DX
Lu
Research Center for High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, 16 Kunlun Road, Xining, 810001 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Ying-Zhong
YZ
Yang
Research Center for High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, 16 Kunlun Road, Xining, 810001 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China ; Qinghai University Affiliated Hospital, Xining, 810001 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Yushuang
Y
Luo
Research Center for High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, 16 Kunlun Road, Xining, 810001 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Lan
L
Ma
Research Center for High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, 16 Kunlun Road, Xining, 810001 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Yan
Y
Ma
Research Center for High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, 16 Kunlun Road, Xining, 810001 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Tana
T
Wuren
Qinghai Province people's Hospital, Xining, 810007 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Rong
R
Chang
Research Center for High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, 16 Kunlun Road, Xining, 810001 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Lei
L
Qi
Qinghai Province people's Hospital, Xining, 810007 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Ba-Ji
BJ
Ben
Qinghai Province people's Hospital, Xining, 810007 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Jun
J
Han
Research Center for High Altitude Medicine in Qinghai University, 16 Kunlun Road, Xining, 810001 Qinghai Peoples' Republic of China.
Ri-Li
RL
Ge
HIF-1α; HIF-2α; Hypoxic; MCF-7 breast cancer cell; Rhodiola algida var. tangutica