The Effects of Quercetin on the Apoptosis of Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231: A Systematic Review

Molani et al., 2022 | Nutr Cancer | Systematic Review

Citation

Molani Gol Roghayeh, Kheirouri Sorayya. The Effects of Quercetin on the Apoptosis of Human Breast Cancer Cell Lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231: A Systematic Review. Nutr Cancer. 2022;74(2):405-422. doi:10.1080/01635581.2021.1897631

Abstract

This systematic review was performed with a focus on the effects of quercetin (QT) on the human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231. PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases were searched up to May 2020 using relevant keywords. All articles written in English evaluating the effects of QT on the human breast cancer cell lines MCF-7 and/or MDA-MB-231 were eligible for the review. Totally, 31 articles were included in this review. Out of them, 23 studies investigated the effects of QT on MCF-7 cells and indicated that QT induces apoptosis in the cells. Of 15 studies that examined the effects of QT on MDA-MB-231 cells, 14 reports showed successful apoptosis. It is concluded that QT might be beneficial in the eliminating of breast cancer cells. However, further clinical trials are warranted to further verify these outcomes.

Key Findings

However, further clinical trials are warranted to further verify these outcomes.

Outcomes Measured

Requires manual extraction

Population

Field	Value
Population	See abstract
Sample Size	23
Age Range	See abstract
Condition	See abstract

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis
Breast Neoplasms
Cell Line, Tumor
Female
Humans
MCF-7 Cells
Quercetin

Evidence Classification

Level: Systematic Review
Publication Types: Journal Article, Systematic Review
Vertical: quercetin

Provenance

PMID: 33682528
DOI: 10.1080/01635581.2021.1897631
PMCID: Not in PMC
Verified: 2026-04-09 via PubMed E-utilities API

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09