Effect of quercetin on secretion and gene expression of leptin in breast cancer

To investigate the possible inhibitory action of pure quercetin on secretion and gene expression of leptin in the T47D breast cancer cell line.

In this experimental study, T47D cells were cultured in monolayers in RPMI 1640. IC50 was determined by MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay after 24 h treatment at different concentrations of quercetin. The levels of leptin gene expression were measured by reverse-transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Secreted leptin was measured in the supernatant of cells by an enzyme-linked immuno sorbent assay.

Analysis of MTT assay data showed that quercetin has a cytotoxic effect on T47D breast cancer cells with 40 M IC50 after 24 h exposure. Data analysis of real-time PCR showed that with increases in quercetin concentration, a decreasing trend was seen in mRNA levels of leptin of treated cells compared with the control cells (P < 0.05). Also, measurement of secreted leptin in the culture media showed a similar decreasing trend in the amount of leptin protein in the treated cells compared with the control cells (P < 0.05).

Quercetin significantly inhibits the growth of T47D cells through inhibition of leptin secretion and gene expression in T47D breast cancer cells. Therefore, it might be an alternative approach to breast cancer therapy through leptin targeting.