Background/aim: Although ginseng seed oil (GSO) appears to have various roles in the body, its anti-cancer effect has not been investigated. Tamoxifen is widely used to treat estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) breast cancer but shows adverse effects with drug resistance. This study investigated the effect of GSO in ER+ breast cancer cell growth.
Materials and methods: Cell viability assays, western blots and Annexin V staining were conducted to examine cell viability and apoptosis. The synergistic effect of tamoxifen in combination with GSO or oleic acid (OA) was determined.
Results: GSO and OA caused apoptosis of MCF-7 ER+ breast cancer cells and had synergistic effects with tamoxifen in inhibiting tamoxifen-resistant MCF-7 (MCF-7TAMR) ER+ breast cancer cell growth.
Conclusion: GSO may block ER+ breast cancer recurrence in combination with tamoxifen.
Keywords: ER+; Ginseng seed oil; breast cancer; oleic acid; tamoxifen.
Copyright© 2020, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.