Alpha-santalol, a terpenoid found in sandalwood oil has been shown to inhibit breast cancer cell growth in vitro by inducing apoptosis, but the mechanisms underlying the growth inhibitory effects of alpha-santalol are not fully understood. In this study, we demonstrate that α-santalol treatment targets Wnt/β-catenin pathway to inhibit migration of cultured breast cancer cells.

Migration assays, immunoblotting and immunofluorescence were used to examine the mechanism of action of a-santalol in breast cancer cells.

Exposure of MDA-MB 231 and MCF-7 cells to α-santalol resulted in a significant reduction in their migratory potential and wound healing ability. In addition, α-santalol affected the localization of β-catenin from cytosol to nucleus in MDA-MB 231 cells.

Alpha-santalol inhibited migration of breast cancer cells may be mediated, in part, by targeting Wnt//β-catenin pathway. β-catenin represents an important target of α-santalol's response for future pre-clinical studies.