title: Loquat (Eriobotrya japonica) leaf extract inhibits the growth of MDA-MB-231 tumors in nude mouse xenografts and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The present study was conducted to examine the inhibitory effect of loquat leaves on MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation and invasion.
  
  
  METHODS
  Female athymic nude mice were given a subcutaneous (s.c.) inoculation of MDA-MB-231 cells and randomly grouped to receive a s.c. injection of either 500 mg/kg ethanol, water extract or vehicle five times a week. Tumor growth, mitotic rate and necrosis were examined. MDA-MB-231 cells were cultured with DMSO or with various concentrations of loquat water or ethanol extract. Proliferation, adhesion, migration, invasion and matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) activity were examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Tumor growth of xenograft nude mouse was significantly reduced by loquat extracts. The results of mitotic examination revealed that loquat extracts reduced tumor cell division. Both ethanol and water extracts significantly inhibited MDA-MB-231 cell proliferation. The protein expression of ErbB3 was significantly down-regulated by loquat leaf extracts. Loquat leaf extracts increased apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells following 24 hour incubation and the ethanol extract was more potent in inducing apoptosis than the water extract. Furthermore, loquat extracts inhibited adhesion, migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells. MMP activity was significantly inhibited by loquat extracts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results show that extracts of loquat inhibit the growth of tumor in MDA-MB-231 xenograft nude mice and the invasion of human breast cancer cells, indicating the inhibition of tumor cell proliferation and invasion.
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition / Research Institute of Human Ecology, Mokpo National University, 1666, Yeongsan-ro, Cheonggye-myeon, Muan-gun, Jeonnam 58554, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi-Kyoung
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: You
authors.affiliation: Hisol, 247-9, Baraebong-gil, Unbong-eup, Namwon-si, Jeonbuk, Korea.
authors.forename: Min-Sook
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, College of Veterinary Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyu-Shik
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Jeong
authors.affiliation: Korea INSpharm Research institute, 1065 Daepo-ri, Dong-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam 58143, Korea.
authors.forename: Eun
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Korea INSpharm Research institute, 1065 Daepo-ri, Dong-myeon, Hwasun-gun, Jeonnam 58143, Korea.
authors.forename: Yong-Jae
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Food and Nutrition / Research Institute of Human Ecology, Mokpo National University, 1666, Yeongsan-ro, Cheonggye-myeon, Muan-gun, Jeonnam 58554, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyeon-A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Loquat; MDA-MB-231 cells; invasion; nude mice; tumor growth