Ampelopsis japonica ethanol extract suppresses migration and invasion in human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells

Ampelopsis japonica (AJ) is a well-known traditional oriental herb with anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities. However, the molecular mechanisms by which AJ inhibits metastasis in breast cancer cells remain to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of AJ ethanol extract (EAJ) on highly metastatic human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells in vitro. AJ was extracted and chemically characterized. Cell proliferation was determined using a CCK-8 assay and migration was detected using a wound healing motility assay. A Transwell assay was used to evaluate the invasion and metastatic capabilities of the MDA-MB-231 cells. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1 and TIMP-2 were evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction in vitro. The results of the present study characterized the signaling cascades that mediated the antimetastatic activity of AJ in the human MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. EAJ significantly suppressed the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro and inhibited the expression of metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. These findings identified the biological activity of EAJ in an in vitro model of cancer metastasis and provided a rationale for further investigation.