The effect of diosgenin in inhiniting breast cancer cell progression and expression of K-Ras, c-Myc, MMP2 and MMP9 metastatic genes

Abstract

Recently, various studies have focused on the therapeutic potential of diogenin, as a steroidal saponin, in various human malignancies, including breast cancer. However, the underlying mechanisms of diosgenin-mediated anti-cancer effects are not yet fully understood. Therefore, the present study investigated the effect of diosgenin on doxorubicin-induced metastasis and apoptosis in MCF-7 cells. Methods MCF-7 cells were treated with doxorubicin, diosgenin and a combination of both, and cell viability was assessed by MTT assay. mRNA expression of important metatstatic markers including MMP-2, MMP-9, c-Myc and K-Ras was assessed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Flow cytometry was used to evaluate apoptosis. Results Doxorubicin resulted in significant inhibition of cell proliferation in dose-dependent manner. The combination of diosgenin and doxorubicin resulted in a significant inhibition of proliferation compared to mono- treatments (P <0.05). Diosgenin also significantly inhibited MCF-7 cell metastasis by inhibiting the expression of metastatic marker regulators including MMP-2, MMP-9, c-Myc and K-Ras. In addition, diosgenin increased doxorubicin-induced apoptosis in MCF-7 cells.