OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of Aloe emodin (AE) on the invasive and metastatic abilities of human high metastatic breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.

METHODS

MTT assay was used to evaluate the viability of MDA-MB-231 cells after treated with AE for 6 h and 24 h. The adhesive potential of MDA-MB-231 cells to FN and LN was tested by cell-matrix adhesion assay. The effect of AE on invasion of MDA-MB-231 cells was measured by Transwell chamber assay. Scratch wound healing assay was applied to determine the effect on migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. The effect of AE on MDA-MB-231 lung metastasis was determined on an experimental metastatic model.

RESULTS

80 micromol/L AE significantly inhibited the invasion, adhesion to FN, LN of MDA-MB-231 cells in vitro, the inhibitory rates were (52.98 +/- 5.46)%, (34.99 +/- 2.63)%, (28.73 +/- 7.00)%, respectively. After 24 h treatment, AE significantly inhibited the migration of MDA-MB-231 cells. The number and volume of lung metastatic nodules formed by MDA-MB-231 cells after 80 micromol/L AE 24 h treatment were decreased compared with control group.

CONCLUSIONS

AE can suppress the metastasis of MDA-MB-231 cells. Their mechanisms may be related to the inhibition of the capabilities of invasion and migration of MDA-MB-231 cells.