Effects of rhaponticin on proliferation of SK-BR-3 breast cancer cells

Objective To investigate the effect of rhaponticin on the proliferation of SK-BR-3 cells,and to probe the related mechanism.Methods The effect of rhaponticin on proliferation of SK-BR-3 cells was assessed by MTT assay,the morphologic changes were observed by light microscopy,and the expression of Akt and p-Akt protein was analyzed by Western blot.Results Rhaponticin inhibited the proliferation of SK-BR-3 cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner,with an IC50 of(181.3±11.4) μmol/L at 72 h.Obvious cytotoxicity was observed in SK-BR-3 cells after exposure to rhaponticin at the concentration of 200 and 400 μmol/L for 48 h.Rhaponticin could also inhibit the expression of p-Akt protein at the concentration of 100,200 and 400 μmol/L.Conclusion Rhaponticin can inhibit the proliferation of SK-BR-3 cells,which may be correlated with the down-regulation of p-Akt protein.