The inhibitory effect of 13-butoxyberberine bromide on migration in breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells

Abstract

Background: 13-butoxyberberine bromide is a berberine derivative that has not been reported on the anti-migration mechanism of breast cancer. Cancer metastasis is the major cause of cancer mortality, about 90% of cancer patients death are caused by cancer metastasis not the primary tumor. Therefore, the compound that could inhibit cancer migration is necessary for development as anti-cancer drug. Objective: To investigate the effects of 13-butoxyberberine bromide on the anti-migration of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells. Materials and Methods: Cell viability was determined by MTT assay. Wound-healing assay and transwell chamber assay were used to determine cell migration. Protein expression levels were examined by western blot analysis. Results: 13-Butoxyberberine bromide at sub-toxic concentration (10 μg/mL) inhibited cell migration in MDA-MB-231 treated cells via down-regulation of MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression which play important role in cancer cell metastasis. Conclusion: 13-Butoxyberberine bromide at 10 μg/mL showed anti-migration effect against MDA-MB-231 cells through inhibition of mediator proteins. These findings could be useful in the development of 13-butoxyberberine bromide to be a novel anti-migration agent for clinical use in the future. © Journal Of The Medical Association Of Thailand| 2019.