Nutraceuticals Known to Promote Hair Growth Do Not Interfere with the Inhibitory Action of Tamoxifen in MCF7, T47D, and BT483 Breast Cancer Cell Lines
December 2021
in “
Research Square (Research Square)
”
TLDR Hair growth-promoting nutraceuticals do not block the cancer-fighting effects of tamoxifen and may enhance its action.
The study investigated the effect of various nutraceuticals known to promote hair growth on the proliferation of MCF7, T-47D, and BT483 breast cancer cell lines in the presence of estrogen and tamoxifen. The nutraceuticals tested included Kelp, Astaxanthin, Saw Palmetto, Tocotrienols, Maca, Horsetail, Resveratrol, Curcumin, and Ashwagandha. The results showed that these nutraceuticals did not interfere with the inhibitory action of tamoxifen on estrogen-stimulated DNA synthesis. Some even further inhibited DNA synthesis when combined with tamoxifen. The nutraceuticals also induced a shift to higher ERβ expression and a localization of ERs around the nuclear periphery. The study concluded that these nutraceuticals, due to their higher affinity for ERβ, may offer a protective effect and augment the actions of tamoxifen. This suggests the potential of nutraceuticals as adjuvant therapy for hair loss in breast cancer patients receiving endocrine therapy, although further research is needed to confirm these findings.
