Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue Decoction, a Chinese herbal formula, down-regulates the expression of steroid sulfatase genes in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells

Ethnopharmacological relevanceShu-Gan-Liang-Xue Decoction (SGLXD), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, has been used to ameliorate hot flushes symptom in breast cancer patients for decades.Aim of the studySteroid sulfatase (STS) has a crucial role in regulating the estrogen biosynthesis within breast tumors. We aimed to investigate whether SGLXD could modulate STS expression in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells.Materials and methodsBy semi-quantitative/quantitative reverse transcription-PCR, we investigated the transcript level of STS in MCF-7 cells treated with various concentrations of SGLXD. By using transient cotransfection with estrogen dependent plasmid pERE-TK-Luc and internal control plasmid pRL-TK in MCF-7 cells and dual luciferase reporter (DLR) based bioluminescent measurements, we evaluated the enzymatic activity of STS after SGLXD treatment.ResultsBy RT-PCR and real time PCR, the mRNA level of STS was decreased by SGLXD treatment, in the dose-dependent manner, compared to negative control (p < 0.01). By DLR assay, different concentrations of SGLXD significantly inhibited the enzymatic activity of STS in MCF-7 cells dose-dependently (p < 0.05).ConclusionsSGLXD could act as a selective estrogen enzyme modulator by down-regulating the STS expression in MCF-7 cells.

Shu-Gan-Liang-Xue decoction, a Chinese herbal formula, down-regulates the expression of steroid sulfatase genes in human breast carcinoma MCF-7 cells.Figure optionsDownload as PowerPoint slide