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Published on: June 7, 2020
Screening to Identify Commonly Used Chinese Herbs That Affect ERBB2 and ESR1 Gene Expression Using the Human Breast
Jen-Hwey Chiu1, Chun-Ju Chang2, Jing-Chong Wu3
1Institute of Traditional Medicine, School of Medicine, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei 112, Taiwan ; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan ; Division of General Surgery, Department of Surgery, Cheng Hsin General Hospital, Taipei 112, Taiwan.
Abstract:
Aim. Our aim the was to screen the commonly used Chinese herbs in order to detect changes in ERBB2 and ESR1 gene expression using MCF-7 cells. Methods. Using the MCF-7 human breast cancer cell line, cell cytotoxicity and proliferation were evaluated by MTT and trypan blue exclusion assays, respectively. A luciferase reporter assay was established by transient transfecting MCF-7 cells with plasmids containing either the ERBB2 or the ESR1 promoter region linked to the luciferase gene. Chinese herbal extracts were used to treat the cells at 24 h after transfection, followed by measurement of their luciferase activity. The screening results were verified by Western blotting to measure HER2 and ER α protein expression. Results. At concentrations that induced little cytotoxicity, thirteen single herbal extracts and five compound recipes were found to increase either ERBB2 or ESR1 luciferase activity. By Western blotting, Si-Wu-Tang, Kuan-Shin-Yin, and Suan-Tsao-Ren-Tang were found to increase either HER2 or ER α protein expression. In addition, Ligusticum chuanxiong was shown to have a great effect on ERBB2 gene expression and synergistically with estrogen to stimulate MCF-7 cell growth. Conclusion. Our results provide important information that should affect clinical treatment strategies among breast cancer patients who are receiving hormonal or targeted therapies.
Insights
Chinese herbs can alter breast cancer gene expression. Some herbs, like Ligusticum chuanxiong, significantly impact ERBB2 and estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1) in MCF-7 cells, influencing treatment strategies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Breast cancer treatment often involves hormonal or targeted therapies.
- Estrogen receptor (ER) and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2) are key targets.
- Chinese herbs are widely used, but their impact on these targets is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To screen commonly used Chinese herbs for their effects on ERBB2 and ESR1 gene expression.
- To evaluate the impact of these herbs on MCF-7 breast cancer cells.
- To identify herbs that modulate key breast cancer-related genes.
Main Methods:
- MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were used.
- Luciferase reporter assays measured ERBB2 and ESR1 promoter activity.
- Cell viability was assessed using MTT and trypan blue assays.
- Protein expression of HER2 and ERα was confirmed by Western blotting.
Main Results:
- Thirteen single herbs and five compound recipes increased ERBB2 or ESR1 activity at non-cytotoxic concentrations.
- Si-Wu-Tang, Kuan-Shin-Yin, and Suan-Tsao-Ren-Tang modulated HER2 or ERα protein levels.
- Ligusticum chuanxiong significantly affected ERBB2 expression and enhanced estrogen-stimulated cell growth.
Conclusions:
- Certain Chinese herbs can modulate ERBB2 and ESR1 expression in breast cancer cells.
- Findings provide crucial data for breast cancer patients undergoing hormonal or targeted therapy.
- This research supports informed clinical decisions regarding complementary therapies.
