Antiproliferative activity of combined biochanin A and ginsenoside Rh2 on MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 human breast cancer cells

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer in women worldwide. The antiproliferative activities of biochanin A (BA) and ginsenoside Rh2 were determined by evaluating their inhibitory effect on MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell proliferation. The combination of BA with Rh2 was also assessed. In MDA cells, combination treatment led to a decrease in the EC50 values of BA and Rh2 to 25.20 µM and 22.75 µM, respectively. In MCF-7 cells, the EC50 values of combined BA and Rh2 decreased to 27.68 µM and 25.41 µM, respectively. BA combined with Rh2 also improved the inhibition of MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell migration and invasion compared to the individual compounds. Western blot analysis demonstrated upregulation in p-p53, p-p38, and p-ASK1 proteins while levels of TRAF2 were downregulated. These results suggest that BA combined with Rh2 exhibits synergistic effects against MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 cell proliferation.