Ana Soto, professor of cellular biology at Tufts University School of Medicine, and her colleagues were studying the effects of estrogen
on a breast cancer cell line.
One study examined the cytotoxic effects of different types of clove
extract on breast cancer cell lines, including water - based, alcohol - based and essential oil extracts.
Choi's team wanted to see what effect the two compounds have
on breast cancer cells.
Although no studies have directly confirmed its effect on breast cancer stem cells thus far, the outlook is positive that one day the connection may be made considering its cytotoxic effect
on breast cancer cells, in general, has already proven to be so high.
Lycopene is a carotenoid that is known to have an inhibiting effect
on breast cancer cells.