S-Allyl-L-Cysteine Affects Cell Proliferation and Expression of H2S-Synthetizing Enzymes in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines

Sep 21, 2026

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S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC), a sulfur compound found in fresh garlic, is investigated for antiproliferative activity and its influence on H2S metabolism enzymes. The study evaluates MPST, CTH, and CBS in vitro using human breast adenocarcinoma cell models MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231, after SAC exposure across multiple concentrations and incubation times. Viability, membrane integrity, and protein expression were assessed by MTS, LDH, and Western blot analyses. SAC significantly reduced viable cells in MCF-7 at all times, and in MDA-MB-231 after specific conditions, while MPST expression increased after 24 h and CTH/CBS showed opposing regulation between lines.

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CategoryResearch & Report

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Abstract

Introduction

biomolecules Article S-Allyl-L-Cysteine Affects Cell Proliferation and Expression of H2 S-Synthetizing Enzymes in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines Anna Bentke-Imiolek *, Dominika Szl˛ezak , Marta Zarzycka, Maria Wróbel and Patrycja Bronowicka-Adamska Citation: Bentke-Imiolek, A.; Szl˛ezak, D.; Zarzycka, M.; Wróbel, M.; Bronowicka-Adamska, P. S-Allyl-L-Cysteine Affects Cell Proliferation and Expression of H2S-Synthetizing Enzymes in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 Adenocarcinoma Cell Lines. Biomolecules 2024, 14, 188 . [https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14020188](https://doi.org/10.3390/biom14020188) Academic Editor: Anna Sparatore Received: 27 December 2023 Revised: 29 January 2024 Accepted: 1 February 2024 Published: 4 February 2024 Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . Jagiellonian University Medical College, Faculty of Medicine, Chair of Medical Biochemistry, 7 Kopernika Street, 31-034 Kraków, Poland; [dominika.szlezak@uj.edu.pl](dominika.szlezak@uj.edu.pl) (D.S.); [marta.zarzycka@uj.edu.pl](marta.zarzycka@uj.edu.pl) (M.Z.); [mtk.wrobel@uj.edu.pl](mtk.wrobel@uj.edu.pl) (M.W.); [patrycja.bronowicka-adamska@uj.edu.pl](patrycja.bronowicka-adamska@uj.edu.pl) (P.B.-A.) * Correspondence: [anna.bentke-imiolek@uj.edu.pl](anna.bentke-imiolek@uj.edu.pl) Abstract: S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) is a sulfur compound present in fresh garlic. The reference literature describes its anticancer, antioxidant and neuroprotective effects. Breast cancer is infamously known as one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies among women worldwide. Its morbidity and mortality make it reasonable to complete and expand knowledge on this cancer’s characteristics. Hydrogen sulfide (H 2S) and its naturally occurring donors are well-known investigation subjects for diverse therapeutic purposes. This study was conducted to investigate the SAC antiproliferative potential and effect on three enzymes involved in H 2S metabolism: 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST), cystathionine γ-lyase (CTH), and cystathionine β-synthase (CBS). We chose the in vitro cellular model of human breast adenocarcinomas: MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 . The expression of enzymes after 2, 4, 6, 8, and 24 h incubation with 2.24 mM, 3.37 mM, and 4.50 mM SAC concentrations was examined. The number of living cells was determined by the MTS assay. Changes in cellular plasma membrane integrity were measured by the LDH test. Expression changes at the protein level were analyzed using Western blot. A significant decrease in viable cells was registered for MCF-7 cells after all incubation times upon 4.50 mM SAC exposure, and after 6 and 24 h only in MDA-MB-231 upon 4.50 mM SAC. In both cell lines, the MPST gene expression significantly increased after the 24 h incubation with 4.50 mM SAC. S-allyl-L-cysteine had opposite effects on changes in CTH and CBS expression in both cell lines. In our research model, we confirmed the antiproliferative potential of SAC and concluded that our studies provided current information about the increase in MPST gene expression mediated by S-allyl-L-cysteine in the adenocarcinoma in vitro cellular model for the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Further investigation of this in vitro model can bring useful information regarding sulfur enzyme metabolism of breast adenocarcinoma and regulating its activity and expression (gene silencing) in anticancer therapy. Keywords: S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC); breast adenocarcinoma; 3-mercaptopyruvate sulfurtransferase (MPST); cystathionine γ-lyase (CTH); cystathionine β-synthase (CBS) 1. Introduction Breast cancer is infamously known as one of the most commonly diagnosed malignancies

FAQs

What compounds and biological targets does the study focus on?

The research examines S-allyl-L-cysteine (SAC) and its effects on H2S metabolism through three enzymes: MPST, CTH, and CBS.

Which cell lines are used to test SAC’s effects?

The study uses the human breast adenocarcinoma cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 as an in vitro model.

How were cell viability and enzyme-related changes measured?

Cell viability was determined using the MTS assay, membrane integrity was measured by LDH testing, and protein-level expression changes were analyzed via Western blot.

Sep 21, 2026

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