The Chinese herbs, Gleditsia sinensis and Scutellaria barbata are specific in inhibiting growth in human breast cancer cells. The IC50 value of G. sinensis on MCF-7 cancer cells was 486 ug/mL while the IC50 value of S. barbata on MCF-7 was 818 ug/mL.
Honokiol, an extract from the bark and seed pods of various magnolia species, acts in several ways to inhibit growth and proliferation of human breast cancer cells in a laboratory setting (in vitro). Treatment with honokiol resulted in a dose-dependent inhibition of migration of these cells, which was associated with a reduction in nitric oxide (NO) levels. Honokiol also inhibited the levels of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and prostaglandin (PG) E2 in 4T1 cells, acting as an anti-inflammatory agent. Honokiol inhibited the activation of nuclear factor κB (NF-κB), an upstream regulator of COX-2 and iNOS. These results indicate that NO and COX-2 are the key targets of honokiol in the inhibition of breast cancer cell migration, an essential step in invasion and metastasis. Honokiol promotes breast cancer cell death, or apoptosis. It causes a disruption of the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase of cell division. In laboratory settings, honokiol inhibits growth of both estrogen positive and estrogen negative breast cancer cell lines. It also inhibits the growth of breast cancer cells resistant to either adriamycin or tamoxifen. In a laboratory setting, honokiol enhanced the activity of adriamycin and decreased resistance to the drug. When used on mice, honokiol was highly effective in causing cell death in breast cancer cells when used in high doses.
Danshen is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine, often in combination with other herbs. It has been found to inhibit proliferation of MCF-7 vec breast cancer cells in a laboratory setting and causes cell cycle delay in the G1 phase. Cells that expressed HER2 were resistant to the action of Danshen.
- In vitro antitumor mechanisms of various Scutellaria extracts and constituent flavonoids.
- Molecular mechanisms underlying selective cytotoxic activity of BZL101, an extract of Scutellaria barbata, towards breast cancer cells.
- Phase I trial and antitumor effects of BZL101 for patients with advanced breast cancer.
- Antiproliferative and apoptosis-inducing activity of Brucea javanica extract on human carcinoma cells.
- In vitro anticancer action of twelve Chinese medicinal herbs.
- Activities of fresh juice of Scutellaria barbata and warmed water extract of Radix Sophorae Tonkinensis on anti-proliferation and apoptosis of human cancer cell lines.
- Anticancer activity of Scutellaria baicalensis and its potential mechanism.
- Inhibitory effects of Scutellaria barbata D. Don. and Euonymus alatus Sieb. on aromatase activity of human leiomyomal cells.
- Anticancer activity and mechanism of Scutellaria barbata extract on human lung cancer cell line A549.
- Aqueous extract of herba Scutellaria barbatae, a chinese herb used for ovarian cancer, induces apoptosis of ovarian cancer cell lines.
- Baicalein and genistein display differential actions on estrogen receptor (ER) transactivation and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.
- Honokiol, a phytochemical from Magnolia spp., inhibits breast cancer cell migration by targeting nitric oxide and cyclooxygenase-2.
- Honokiol-mediated inhibition of PI3K/mTOR pathway: a potential strategy to overcome immunoresistance in glioma, breast, and prostate carcinoma without impacting T cell function.
- Down-regulation of c-Src/EGFR-mediated signaling activation is involved in the honokiol-induced cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells.
- Anti-tumor effect of honokiol alone and in combination with other anti-cancer agents in breast cancer.
- Synergistic antitumor effects of liposomal honokiol combined with adriamycin in breast cancer models.
- Honokiol, a natural biphenyl, inhibits in vitro and in vivo growth of breast cancer through induction of apoptosis and cell cycle arrest.
- Down-regulation of P-glycoprotein expression in MDR breast cancer cell MCF-7/ADR by honokiol.
- Danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza) extract inhibits proliferation of breast cancer cells via modulation of Akt activity and p27 level.
- The extract of huanglian, a medicinal herb, induces cell growth arrest and apoptosis by upregulation of interferon-beta and TNF-alpha in human breast cancer cells.
