The two phyto-oestrogens genistein and quercetin exert different effects on oestrogen receptor function
1999

Effects of Genistein and Quercetin on Estrogen Receptor Function

publication

Author Information

Author(s): Miodini P, Fioravanti L, Fronzo G Di, Cappelletti V

Primary Institution: Istituto Nazionale per lo Studio e la Cura dei Tumori, Milan, Italy

Hypothesis

How do genistein and quercetin affect estrogen receptor function in breast cancer cells?

Conclusion

Genistein acts as a mixed agonist/antagonist while quercetin functions purely as an anti-estrogen.

Supporting Evidence

  • Genistein stimulated MCF-7 cell growth at low concentrations and inhibited it at high concentrations.
  • Quercetin only inhibited cell growth.
  • Genistein promoted transcription of estrogen-regulated genes, while quercetin interfered with estrogen-induced protein expression.
  • Genistein competed with estradiol for binding to the estrogen receptor, but quercetin did not.

Takeaway

This study looked at how two plant compounds, genistein and quercetin, affect breast cancer cells. Genistein can both help and hinder cell growth, while quercetin only hinders it.

Methodology

The study compared the effects of genistein and quercetin on the MCF-7 breast cancer cell line, examining their impact on cell growth and estrogen receptor binding.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1038/sj.bjc.6690479

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