EGCG decreases the expression of HIF-1α and VEGF and cell growth in MCF-7 breast cancer cells

Purpose: To investigate the effects of epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on the expression of HIP-1a and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and cell growth in MCF-7 breast cancer cells. Methods: MCP-7 human breast cancer cells were pre-treated with different concentrations of EGCG (25, 50, 100 mg/L) for 48 h. The growth and proliferation of cells were analyzed by trypan blue staining in the pretreated MCF-7 cells. Furthermore, mRNA expression of HIP-la and VEGF was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis in the pretreated MCP-7 cells. Protein expression of HIP-la was detected by Western blot, and the secreted protein level of VEGF in the supernatant of the culture medium was analyzed by enzyme linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) in the MCP-7 cells pretreated with different concentrations of EGCG. Results: Cell growth decreased dramatically in MCP-7 cells treated with different concentrations of EGCG, compared with untreated (control) cells. Moreover, protein expression of HIP-la and VEGF declined in a dose-dependent manner in MCF-7 cells pretreated with increasing concentrations of EGCG. Conclusions: EGCG inhibits cell growth and proliferation of MCP-7 breast cancer cells, possibly by inhibiting the protein expression of HIP-la and VEGF.