Apigenin promotes apoptosis of 4T1 cells through PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway and improves tumor immune microenvironment in vivo.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to investigate the anti-tumor effect of apigenin on breast cancer and its underlying molecular mechanism using in vitro and in vivo models.
Results Summary
Apigenin induced breast cancer cell apoptosis via the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway and improved the tumor immune microenvironment in mice, inhibiting breast cancer growth.
Population
4T1 cells and a 4T1 xenograft tumor mouse model.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
adding flavonoids to the diet | decrease | cancers that arise in particular women, such as cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer | particular women | - | inhibits | #1 |
apigenin (API) | decrease | 4T1 | 4T1 cells | - | inhibitory effect | #2 |
apigenin | decrease | solid breast tumors | xenograft tumor mouse model | - | inhibitory effect | #3 |
API | increase | breast cancer cell apoptosis | breast cancer cells | - | can induce | #4 |
API | increase | tumor immune microenvironment | mice with breast tumors | - | can improve | #5 |
API | decrease | growth of breast cancer | mice with breast tumors | - | inhibiting | #6 |
The 2022 US Cancer Statistics show that breast cancer is one of the most common cancers in women. Epidemiology has shown that adding flavonoids to the diet inhibits cancers that arise in particular women, such as cervical cancer, ovarian cancer, and breast cancer. Although there have been research reports on apigenin (API) and breast cancer, its anti-tumor effect and potential mechanism on breast cancer have not yet been clarified. Therefore, in this study, we used 4T1 cells and a 4T1 xenograft tumor mouse model to investigate the antitumor effect of API on breast cancer and its underlying mechanism. In vitro, we used MTT, transwell, staining, and western blotting to investigate the inhibitory effect of apigenin on 4T1 and the underlying molecular mechanism. In vivo by establishing a xenograft tumor model, using immunohistochemistry, and flow cytometry to study the inhibitory effect of apigenin on solid breast tumors and its effect on the tumor immune microenvironment. The results showed that API can induce breast cancer cell apoptosis through the PI3K/AKT/Nrf2 pathway and can improve the tumor immune microenvironment in mice with breast tumors, thereby inhibiting the growth of breast cancer. Thus, API may be a promising agent for breast cancer treatment.