Ginseng Seed Oil Inhibits the Growth of Estrogen Receptor-positive Breast Cancer Cells

Anticancer Res. 2020 Aug;40(8):4529-4535. doi: 10.21873/anticanres.14458.

Abstract

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.

MeSH terms

  • Breast Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Cell Proliferation / drug effects
  • Cell Survival / drug effects
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / drug effects
  • Drug Synergism
  • Female
  • Humans
  • MCF-7 Cells
  • Oleic Acid / pharmacology*
  • Panax / chemistry*
  • Plant Oils / chemistry
  • Plant Oils / pharmacology*
  • Receptors, Estrogen / metabolism*
  • Seeds / chemistry
  • Tamoxifen / pharmacology*

Substances

  • Plant Oils
  • Receptors, Estrogen
  • Tamoxifen
  • Oleic Acid