Inhibitory Effect of Geum kokanicum. Roots on Matrix Metalloproteinases Expression

Abstract

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) play a critical role in several physiologic and pathologic events. There is some evidence that indicates the involvement of MMPs in tumor invasion and inflammatory diseases. Here we study different extracts of Geum kokanicum. Regel & Schmalh. ex Regel (Rosaceae) roots. The potential inhibitory effect of these extracts on the invasive phenotype of Wehi-164 cells, a typical fibrosarcoma cell line, was assessed through a dose-response and time-course fashion using diclofenac sodium as a reference drug. A colorimetric assay was also used to investigate potential cytotoxicity properties of the extracts. The total extract of the roots was found to exhibit a selective inhibitory effect on tumor cell invasion. The polar extracts of G. kokanicum. roots showed potent inhibitory effect on MMPs activity at minimal cytotoxic doses. However, nonpolar extracts of the plant roots did not exhibit this exclusive anti-invasive effect. Taken together, the potent anti-invasive characterisitics of polar G. kokanicum. root extracts might be promising in the preparation of anticancer therapeutic derivatives owing to the fact that inhibition of MMPs activity has been employed in modality therapy in such major pathological processes.

Keywords:

• Anticancer activity
• cytotoxicity
• Geum kokanicum
• matrix metalloproteinase
• zymoanalysis