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ARS Home » Plains Area » Fargo, North Dakota » Edward T. Schafer Agricultural Research Center » Cereal Crops Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #330073
Research Project: Enhancement of Hard Spring Wheat, Durum, and Oat Quality

Location: Cereal Crops Research

Title: In vitro study on effect of germinated wheat on human breast cancer cells

Author
item CHO, KYONGSHIN - North Dakota State University
item LEE, CHIWON - North Dakota State University
item Ohm, Jae-Bom

Submitted to: Cereal Chemistry
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/4/2016
Publication Date: 11/1/2016
Publication URL: https://handle.nal.usda.gov/10113/63298
Citation: Cho, K., Lee, C.W., Ohm, J.-B. 2016. In vitro study on effect of germinated wheat on human breast cancer cells. Cereal Chemistry. 93(6):647-649.

Interpretive Summary: This research investigated the possible inhibitory effect of germinated wheat flour on growth of human breast cancer cells. In a series of experiments, two types of human breast cancer cells, estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) and negative (MDA-MB-231) cells, were cultured in test tubes and treated with whole wheat flour samples that were obtained after 3-day germination. The germinated wheat flour significantly reduced the growth of both of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. The germinated wheat flour was observed to decrease proliferation of cancer cells by inducing apoptosis which is naturally occurring cell death and helps to remove unnecessary cells. These results indicate that germinated wheat flour induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of the human breast cell lines, thereby demonstrating its potential inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation.

Technical Abstract: This research investigated the possible anti-cancer effects of germinated wheat flours (GWF) on cell growth and apoptosis of human breast cancer cells. In a series of in vitro experiments, estrogen receptor-positive (MCF-7) and negative (MDA-MB-231) cells were cultured and treated with GWF that were obtained after 3-day germination. The GWF significantly reduced the growth of both of MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells. In analysis using a flow cytometer, the GWF significantly up-regulated apoptosis of both cell lines. These results indicate that GWF induced apoptosis and inhibited proliferation of the human breast cell lines, thereby demonstrating its potential inhibition of breast cancer cell proliferation.