Biological effects of ray cartilage extract on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and its mechanism

To explore the biological effects of ray cartilage extract (RCE) on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 and its mechanism. MCF-7 cells were treated with RCE of different concentrations for different durations, and then MCF-7 cell proliferation was evaluated with MTT test, cell cycle was detected with flow cytometer and the protein levels of cyclin D1 and p21 were determined with Western blot. MTT test indicated that MCF-7 cell proliferation was inhibited by RCE with an optimal inhibiting concentration of 10 μmol/L and an optimal action time of 48 h. Flow cytometer displayed that with the time prolongation of RCE action, the cells in S phase were significantly increased, but the cells in G2/M phase were significantly decreased; and MCF-7 apoptosis significantly increased as compared with blank control group (all P