Effects of Phytoestrogen Extracts Isolated from Flax on Estradiol Production and ER/PR Expression in MCF7 Breast Cancer Cells

Background: In this study, we tested the effects of crude extracts from flax (Linum usitatissimum) on the production of estradiol and expression of estrogen receptor (ER) and progesterone receptor (PR) in human breast cancer MCF7 cells. Materials and Methods: Isoflavone and lignan extracts from flax plant Linum usitatissimum were obtained, using different extraction methods. Breast carcinoma cells (MCF7) were incubated with various concentrations of the isolated extracts. Untreated MCF7 cells were used as controls. Supernatants were removed at designated times and tested for estradiol with an ELISA method. Furthermore, the effect of phytoestrogen extracts on the production of ERa and ERβ as well as on PR was examined. Results and Conclusion: Production of estradiol is elevated in MCF7 cells in a concentration-dependent manner after stimulation with isoflavone and lignan extracts from Linum usitatissimum. Expression of ERα is up-regulated after stimulation with lower concentrations of lignan extracts from flax plants, unchanged at median concentrations and down- regulated at high concentrations. Expression of ERβ is down- regulated in a concentration-dependent manner.