Korean J Pathol.  2006 Feb;40(1):46-51.

Effects of Genistein and Daidzein on the Growth of Human Colon Cancer HCT-116 Cells

• Shin JH
• Kang KS
• Kim JO
• Yoon GS
• Kwon TG
• Kim JW
• Sohn YK

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Genistein and daidzein are two major soybean isoflavones. They have received increasing attention because of their possible roles for cancer prevention. However, their mechanisms of action and molecular targets on the human colon cancer cells are not fully understood.
METHODS
Human colon cancer HCT-116 cells were treated with genistein and daidzein to investigate their effects on the cell growth and this was analyzed with MTT assay. TUNEL assay and Hoechst33342 stain were carried out to identify apotosis.
RESULTS
Daidzein was able to inhibit cell proliferation and induce apoptosis of the HCT-116 cells, but genistein didn't affect the cell growth. The ER antagonist ICI182780 didn't attenuate the antiproliferative and proapoptotic effects of daidzein: this means the effect of daidzein on the HCT-116 cells may not be dependent on the ER pathway. The other soybean isoflavone, genistein, attenuated the effects of daidzein on the HCT-116 cells and its mechanism should be elucidated.
CONCLUSIONS
These data suggest that daidzein may act as a preventive agent on human colon cancer, and its mechanism of action doesn't involve the ER-dependent pathway.

Keyword

Genistein; Daidzein; Colon cancer; HCT-116 cell

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis
Cell Proliferation
Colon*
Colonic Neoplasms*
Genistein*
HCT116 Cells*
Humans*
In Situ Nick-End Labeling
Isoflavones
Soybeans
Genistein
Isoflavones