Phytoestrogens induce apoptosis through a mitochondria/caspase pathway in human breast cancer cells

Abstract

These data demonstrate that genistein, resveratrol, and quercetin have antiproliferative effects on breast cancer cells. Their induction of apoptosis involves the activation of both the intrinsic and extrinsic apoptotic pathways, which may be related to the differential affinity to ERα and ERβ. Whether phytoestrogens have similar effects on normal breast cells remains to be examined.