title: Berberine induced down-regulation of matrix metalloproteinase-1, -2 and -9 in human gastric cancer cells (SNU-5) in vitro.
abstract: Berberine, a yellow benzylisoquinoline alkaloid, is a constituent of Coptis chines and is commonly used in Chinese herbal medicine for patients with gastrointestinal disorders. The pharmacological effects of berberine include anti-inflammation, antidiarrhetic, antimalarial, and even antimicrobial activities. However, its mechanism of action on the cell migration of human gastric cancer SNU-5 cells is not fully understood. The effects of berberine on the percentage of viable cells were examined first and it was found that berberine induced dose-dependent inhibition in human gastric cancer SNU-5 cells. The effect of berberine on the levels of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and matrix metalloproteinase-1, -2, -7 and -9 was then examined using Western blotting and the results showed that berberine induced ROS production for up to 6 hours of incubation. It was also found that berberine induced downregulation of MMP-1 -2, and -9 but did not affect the level of MMP-7. The mRNA levels of MMPs in SNU-5 cells after treatment with berberine for 24 hours were investigated using a polymerase chain reaction and the results showed that berberine inhibited the gene expression of MMP-1, -2 and -9 in human SNU-5 cells but it did not affect MMP-7. In conclusion, berberine appears to exert its anticancer properties by inducing ROS production and prevention of cell migration via inhibition of the gene expression of MMP-1, -2 and -9 in human gastric cancer SNU-5 cancer cells.
authors.affiliation: School of Chinese Medicine, China Medical University, Taichung City, 404, Taiwan.
authors.forename: Jing-Pin
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Jai-Sing
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.forename: Chih-Chung
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Wu
authors.forename: Song-Shei
authors.initials: SS
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Wen-Tsong
authors.initials: WT
authors.lastname: Hsieh
authors.forename: Meng-Liang
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Fu-Shun
authors.initials: FS
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Chun-Shu
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.forename: Guang-Wei
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Yung-Hsien
authors.initials: YH
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Jing-Gung
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chung
mesh_terms: D001599:Berberine / Q000494:pharmacology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D015536:Down-Regulation; D015971:Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000378:metabolism*; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001599:Berberine; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9; D020781:Matrix Metalloproteinase 1