OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects and mechanism of genistein on proliferation inhibition and onset of apoptosis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell line CNE. METHOD: Antiproliferative effect of genistein against CNE was tested by MTT method. Apoptotic phenotype of CNE was observed by electron microscope. Cell apoptosis percentage and cell cycle phase distribution of CNE were measured by flow cytometric assay. RESULT: A time dependent and dose dependent proliferation inhibition was demonstrated in CNE, the high potency has the obvious suppression on tumor growth function; Genistein induces nasopharyngeal cancer cell early apoptosis rate but to strengthen along with the density increase, 200 micromol/L group is highest, is 49.9%; and genistein induced a G2/ M cell cycle arrest. The characteristic morphological changes of apoptosis in CNE cells was observed after treated by genistein. CONCLUSION The time dependent and dose dependent proliferation inhibitory effect of genistein on nasopharyngeal cancer cells. Genistein's mechanism on suppressing effect is probably associated with inducing the cell apoptosis and intervening the cell circle of carcinoma cell. The results provide evidence for the potential usefulness of genistein in the prevention and treatment of human nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Genistein ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma ; Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms ; pathology