Aim: Though lutein can inhibit cancer cell proliferation via alleviating oxidative injury, the molecular mechanisms of lutein involvement in the NrF2/antioxidant response element (ARE) and NF-κB pathways remain poorly understood.
Materials & methods: MTT, flow cytometry, quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot assays were performed.
Results: After treatment with lutein, breast cancer cell proliferation was significantly decreased in a dose-dependent manner. Lutein induced nuclear translocation and protein expression of NrF2, improved the expression of cellular antioxidant enzymes and attenuated reactive oxygen species levels. Moreover, lutein treatment decreased NF-κB signaling pathway related NF-κB p65 protein expression.
Conclusion: The effect of lutein antiproliferation was mediated by activation of the NrF2/ARE pathway, and blocking of the NF-κB signaling pathway.
Keywords: NF-κB signaling pathway; NrF2/ARE signaling pathway; breast cancer; lutein; proliferation.