Effects of matcha tea extract on cell viability and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ expression on T47D breast cancer cells

Purpose In the following work, we investigated the nuclear peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (PPARγ)-dependent proliferation behavior of breast cancer cells after stimulation with matcha green tea extract (MTE). Methods T47D cells were stimulated with MTE at concentrations of 5, 10 and 50 µg/ml. Cell viability was assessed using a WST-1 assay after an incubation time of 72 h. PPARγ expression was quantified at the gene level by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A western blot (WB) was carried out for the qualitative assessment of the expression behavior of on a protein level. Results The WST-1 test showed a significant inhibition of viability in T47D cells after 72 h at 5, 10 and 50 µg/ml. The PCR showed an overexpression of PPARγ in T47D cells in all concentrations. At the concentration of 50 µg/ml the expression was significantly increased ( p < 0.05). The WB demonstrated a significant quantitative increase of PPARγ at protein level with MTE concentrations of 10 and 50 µg/ml. In addition, there was a negative correlation between the overexpression of PPAR γ and the inhibition of proliferation. Conclusion MTE decreases the cell viability of T47D cells and furthermore leads to an overexpression of PPARγ on protein and mRNA level.