Oolong tea extract induces DNA damage and cleavage and inhibits breast cancer cell growth and tumorigenesis

Abstract

Background/Aim: Breast cancer is the most prevalent and devastating malignant disease among women worldwide. Green tea has been extensively studied for its anti-cancer effects, however, existing literature on the correlation of other types of tea with breast cancer is very limited. Materials and Methods: We used six different breast cancer cell lines (ER+, PR+ or HER2+ and triple-negative), treated under different concentrations of green, oolong, black and dark tea extracts, and determined their biological effects. Results: We determined cell viability, observed the changes of cell morphology, measured DNA damage and cleavage, and analyzed the effect on soft agar colony formation and growth. Conclusion: Oolong tea, same as green tea, can induce DNA damage and cleavage, play an inhibitory role in breast cancer cell growth, proliferation and tumorigenesis, and was a great potential as a chemopreventive agent against breast cancer.