Estrogen receptor β agonists affect growth and gene expression of human breast cancer cell lines

► Growth of different breast cancer cell lines was inhibited by androgen derivative and ERβ agonist 3β-Adiol. ► The antiproliferative effect of 3β-Adiol was accompanied by decreased expression of Ki-67 and cyclins. ► ERβ agonist Liquiritigenin did not suppress cell growth, but increased it when used at high doses.