Background
Formononetin, an active ingredient isolated from the traditional Chinese medicinal herb Astragalus membranaceus, has anticancer and chemoresistance-reducing biological activities. We evaluated the efficacy of formononetin in improving the tumoricidal effect of everolimus by suppressing the mTOR pathway in breast cancer cells.
Conclusions
Formononetin enhances the tumoricidal effect of everolimus by inhibiting the activity of Akt.
Methods
Cell survival was assessed using an MTT assay. Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry. Proteins related to the mTOR pathway were detected and assessed using real-time PCR and Western blot analysis.