Effect of[6]-Gingerol on Inhibition of Cell Proliferation in MDA-MB-231 Human Breast Cancer Cells

Seo, Eun Young; Lee, Hyun Sook; Kim, Woo Kyung

Abstract

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe, Zingiberaceae) is one of the most frequently and heavily consumed dietary condiments throughout the world. Besides its extensive use as a spice, the rhizome of ginger has also been used in traditional oriental herbal medicine for the management of symptoms such as common cold, digestive disorders, rheumatism, neurologia, colic, and motion-sickness. The oleoresin from rhizomes of ginger contains[6]-gingerol (1-[4'-hydroxy-3'-methoxyphenyl]-5-hydroxy-3-decanone) and its homologs as pungent ingredients that have been found to possess many interesting pharmacological and physiological activities, such as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, antipyretic, antiheatotoxic, and cardiotonic effects. However, the effect of[6]-gingerol on cell proliferation in breast cancer cell are not currently well known. Therefore, in this study, we examined effect of[6]-gingerol on protein and mRNA expression associated with cell proliferation in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines. We cultured MDA-MB-231 cells in presence of 0, 2.5, 5 and 10 micrometer of[6]-gingerol.[6]-Gingerol inhibited breast cancer cell growth in a dose-depenent manner as determined by MTT assay. ErbB2 and ErbB3 protein and mRNA expression were decreased dose-dependently in cells treated with[6]-gingerol (p < 0.05). In addition, phosphorylated Akt levels and total Akt levels were markedly decreased in cells treated with 2.5 micrometer[6]-gingerol (p < 0.05). In conclusion, we have shown that[6]- gingerol inhibits cell proliferation through ErbB2 and ErbB3, reduction in MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell lines.