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

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 (G(0)-G(1) 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.

Differential fatty acid accretion in heart, liver and adipose tissues of rats fed beef tallow, fish oil, olive oil and safflower oils at three levels of energy intake.

To examine interactive effects of dietary fatty acid composition and energy restriction on tissue fatty acid accretion, mature rats consumed diets containing beef tallow, fish oil, olive oil or safflower oil with free access or at 85% or 68% of free access energy intakes. Restriction was accomplished by adjustment of dietary carbohydrate level. After 10 wk, animals were killed, and the fatty acid compositions of liver, heart and adipose tissues were examined. Compared with animals given free access to diets, body weight gains were reduced at wk 10 in fish oil- and olive oil-fed groups consuming 85% (P < 0.01) and in all groups consuming 68% (P < 0.005) of free access energy intake. Liver and heart weights were also lower (P < 0.05) in all groups restricted to 68% of free access energy intake. The type of dietary fat and the level of energy restriction influenced fatty acid composition in all three tissues at wk 10. In liver tissue, graded energy restriction increased (P < 0.02) proportions of stearic acid and decreased (P < 0.03) those of palmitic acid. In heart tissue, palmitic acid levels decreased (P < 0.01) with energy restriction. In adipose tissue, significant energy restriction-related changes in fatty acid composition varied with type of fat consumed. These results emphasize the importance of whole-body energy balance in addition to dietary fatty acid supply in utilization of dietary fatty acids for tissue deposition vs. oxidation.