Effect of genistein on proliferation of human cervical cancer cell (HeLa)

Aim To investigate the effect of genistein on the proliferation of human cervical cancer cell( HeLa) in vitro and discuss the possible mechanism.Methods HeLa cells were treated with genistein,whose concentration range was from 0. 001 to 10 μmol·L- 1. MTT assay was used to detect the amount of HeLa cells,which could reflect the change of their proliferation. Cell cycle and cell apoptosis were observed via flow cytometry. ERα expression was detected through Western blot. Results Compared with control group, all the experimental concentrations could promote the proliferation of HeLa cells after the cultivation with genistein for 48 h and 72 h. Within the concentrations,genistein could promote HeLa cells in G1phase entering S phase,which could increase the proportion of cells in S phase and decrease cell proportion in G1phase. Meanwhile,a significant decrease of the proportion of apoptosis was observed,which was in accordence with the cell cycle test. Moreover,compared with control group,the expression of ERα protein was significantly higher after the cultivation with genistein for 6 h and 12 h. Conclusion Genistein( 0. 001- 10 μmol·L- 1) can stimulate HeLa cells proliferation,which might through enhancing the expression of ERα and influencing the signal pathway related to cell cycle and apoptosis.