18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid inhibits migration and invasion of human gastric cancer cells via the ROS/PKC-alpha/ERK pathway

摘要

18 beta-glycyrrhetinic acid (18 beta-GA) is a bioactive component of licorice root which exerts pharmacological activities including anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-oxidative and anti-cancer effects. The current study further investigated the molecular mechanisms associated with the inhibitory effects of 18 beta-GA on tumor metastasis in human gastric cancer cells. The results indicated that 18 beta-GA significantly reduced invasion and migration activities and suppressed MMP-2 and 9 activities on SGC-7901cells in a dose-dependent manner. Further study showed 18 beta-GA upregulated E-cadherin expression but downregulated vimentin expression. The results also showed that 18 beta-GA inhibited ROS formation, PKC-alpha expression and the phosphorylation of ERK in a dose-dependent manner. In conclusion, this study revealed that 18 beta-GA inhibits migration and invasion via the ROS/PKC-alpha/ERK signaling pathway in gastric cancer cells. This suggests that 18 beta-GA has the potential to be used as an effective chemopreventive agent for the prevention of gastric cancer metastasis.