Environmental Toxicology and Pharmacology 2015-07-01

Anti-metastatic effects of Rheum Palmatum L. extract in human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

Kyoung Jin Nho, Jin Mi Chun, A Young Lee, Ho Kyoung Kim

Index: Environ. Toxicol. Pharmacol. 40 , 30-8, (2015)

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Abstract

Rheum palmatum L. (RP) has been widely used in traditional medicine for the treatment of various diseases in Asian countries. The molecular mechanism of its anti-metastasis effect remains elusive. The present study assessed the effect of RP ethanol extract (RPE) on the highly metastatic human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in vitro. At a non-toxic concentration, RPE inhibited migration, motility and invasion in a concentration-dependent manner. To investigate the mechanisms involved, real-time PCR and Western blot analyses were performed. Results showed that RPE down-regulated the levels of extracellular matrix degradation-associated proteins, including MMP-2/-9, uPA and uPAR, and up-regulated PAI-1. In addition, RPE affected NF-κB by degrading IkBα, and affected the mitogen-activated protein kinase signal transduction pathway by depressing the activation of p38, ERK and Akt. These results suggest that RPE has potential anti-metastatic activity and warrants further investigation.Copyright © 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.