Evaluation of synthetic isoflavones on cell proliferation, estrogen receptor binding affinity, and apoptosis in human breast cancer cells

Natural isoflavones have demonstrated numerous pharmacological activities in breast cancer cells, including antiproliferative activities and binding affinities for estrogen receptors (ERs). Chemical modifications on the isoflavone ring system have been prepared and explored for the development of new therapeutics for hormone-dependent breast cancer. The antiproliferative actions of the synthesized isoflavones on MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells were examined, as well as cytotoxicity, interaction with estrogen receptors, and proapoptotic activity. The compounds were screened in the absence and in the presence of estradiol to evaluate whether or not estradiol could rescue cell proliferation on MCF-7 cells. Several compounds were able to inhibit cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner, and compounds containing the bulky 7-phenylmethoxy substituent resulted in cell toxicity not only in MCF-7 cells but also in MDA-MB-231 cells. Selected synthetic isoflavones were able to bind to estrogen receptor with low affinity. Apoptotic pathways were also activated by these compounds in breast cancer cells. The majority of the compounds can bind to both ERs with low affinity, and their effects on hormone-independent breast cancer cells suggest that their ability to inhibit cell growth in breast cancer cells is not exclusively mediated by ERs. Thus, the synthetic trisubstituted isoflavones act on multiple signaling pathways leading to activation of mechanisms of cell-death and ultimately affecting breast cancer cell survival.