Effects of kaempferol on oxidative stress, cytoskeletal, and cellular features in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Abstract

Kaempferol, a naturally occurring flavonoid found in various fruits and vegetables, has been widely studied for its biological activity; however, its cellular effects in different breast cancer cell types remain incompletely understood. This study investigated the effects of kaempferol in two human breast cancer cell lines with distinct molecular characteristics: MCF-7 (ER/PR-positive) and MDA-MB-231 (triple-negative). Cells were treated with 60 µM kaempferol for up to 24 h, and analyses included cell viability, oxidative stress (reactive oxygen species generation and superoxide dismutase activity), gene expression ( ACTB ), and morphological changes (cellular area, F-actin intensity, and nuclear DAPI fluorescence) using quantitative PCR and confocal imaging. Kaempferol reduced cell viability in both cell lines, with greater sensitivity observed in MCF-7 cells. Under treatment conditions, MDA-MB-231 cells exhibited higher ROS levels than MCF-7 cells, SOD activity also differed between the two cell lines. ACTB expression was downregulated in both cell lines, more prominently in MCF-7, and was accompanied by a reduction in cellular area. While F-actin intensity remained unchanged in MCF-7 cells, it decreased in MDA-MB-231 cells. Changes in DAPI fluorescence indicated nuclear morphology alterations consistent with cell stress responses. These findings demonstrate differential cellular responses to kaempferol between MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 cells and provide quantitative characterization of its effects on cell viability, oxidative stress, and cellular structure. This work provides a basis for further investigation of kaempferol’s effects in breast cancer cell models.