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Background

The matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are a family of proteolytic enzymes that degrade multiple components of the extracellular matrix. The significant role of MMPs in tumor invasion, neoangiogenesis and metastasis presented it as ideal pharmacological targets for cancer therapy. The effects of ursolic acid (UA) on matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) gene expression, cell invasion and cell migration were investigated MDA MB-231 cell line.

Methods

Cytotoxicity of UA towards cancer cells was evaluated by MTT assay. MDA MB-231 cells were cultured for 48 hrs with different concentrations (0, 5, 15 and 25μM) of UA and mRNA expressions of MMP-1, MMP-3, MMP-7, MMP-9 and MMP-11 were analyzed by real time PCR. Cell migration wound healing assay was done at 0, 6, 24, and 48 h periods for cell migration evaluation. To asses the cell invasion MDA MB-231 cancer cells were seeded on collagen …