Physiological concentrations of genistein stimulate the proliferation and protect against free radical-induced oxidative damage of MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells

Genistein, a phytoestrogen and an antioxidant, acts on osteoblast-like cells by increasing cellular proliferation. The present, study was designed to determine the antioxidative action of genistein on the viability of MC3T3-E1 cells under oxidative stress induced by free radicals during cell proliferation. After incubation for 24 hr, cells were treated with oxidative catalysts, H2O2 and FeSO4, and the isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) for another 6 hr. Also, cells were treated with genistein or antioxidants (vitamin E or C) with or without H2O2 and FeSO4. The viability of cells treated with free radicals was significantly decreased (p < 0.05), whereas treatment with genistein at physiological concentrations reduced the damage to cells by free radicals over 6 hr (p < 0.05), and was more effective than either vitamin E or C. These results suggest that genistein not only stimulates cell proliferation but also protects against oxidative cellular damage of free radicals in osteoblast-like cells. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.