In this study, the potential of an n-butanol fraction from Ricinus communis to prevent metastasis in MCF-7 breast cancer cells was investigated. The effect of the fraction on BUD-8 and MCF-7 cell viability was assessed using the MTT assay. Apoptotic cell death was analyzed by Hoechst staining assay. The antimetastatic effect of the fraction on MCF-7 cell was evaluated using the wound healing, adhesion and Boyden chamber invasion assays. Gelatin-zymography was used to assess the effect of the fraction on MMP-2 and MMP-9 activity. The expression profile of proteins implicated in metastasis and angiogenesis was determined using the human angiogenesis antibody array kit, following treatment with the fraction. BUD-8 cell viability was significantly reduced at concentrations between 300 and 500 µg/ml of the extract. In contrast, a significant reduction in cell viability was seen in MCF-7 cells treated with 400 to 500 µg/ml of the fraction. At sub-lethal concentrations (100 and 200 µg/ml) of the fraction, no nuclei morphological changes associated with apoptotic cell death were observed in MCF-7 cells. In addition, the fraction showed to have an inhibitory effect on MCF-7 cell migration, adhesion, invasiveness, and MMP-2 activity. Moreover, the fraction was seen to modulate the expression of several proteins, such as MMP-9, uPA, VEGF, and TGF-β1, playing a role in the metastasis process. This study demonstrates that the n-butanol fraction of R. communis can inhibit major steps of the metastatic cascade and modulate metastasis regulatory proteins. Thus, the fraction can be considered a potential source of antimetastatic agents that could be useful in the treatment of malignant cancers.
Keywords: MMPs; Ricinus communis; anti-invasivessnes; antiangiogenesis; antimetastasis.