American ginseng and breast cancer therapeutic agents synergistically inhibit MCF-7 breast cancer cell growth

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Abstract
Background and Objectives American ginseng (Panax quinquefolius L.) purportedly alleviates menopause symptoms because of putative estrogenicity. Methods Using a standardized American ginseng (AG) extract in MCF-7 breast cancer cells, the objectives were to evaluate the ability of AG to induce the estrogen- regulated gene pS2 by Northern blot analysis, determine the effect on cell growth using the MTT assay, and evaluate the cell cycle effects by flow cytometry. Results AG and estradiol equivalently induced RNA expression of pS2. AG, in contrast to estradiol, caused a dose-dependent decrease in cell proliferation (P < 0.005). AG had no adverse effect on the cell cycle while estradiol significantly increased the proliferative phase (percent S-phase) and decreased the resting phase (G0–G1 phase) (P < 0.005). Concurrent use of AG and breast cancer therapeutic agents resulted in a significant (P < 0.005) suppression of cell growth for most drugs evaluated. Conclusions In vitro use of AG and breast cancer therapeutics synergistically inhibited cancer cell growth. J. Surg. Oncol. 1999;72:230–239.