OBJECTIVE

To investigate the anticancer and anti-metastatic effect of Ajuga decumbens extraction (HBG) on breast cancer and to clarify the effect of HBG on MMPs and TIMPs.

METHODS

The antitumor and antimetastic effect of HBG was determined using orthotopic 4T1 breast cancer mouse model. Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of associated proteins in breast cancer metastasis.

RESULTS

Administration with 50-200 mg x kg(-1) doses of HBG significantly reduced the tumor weight, tumor volume and numbers of lung tumor nodules in a dose-dependent manner. Tumor metastasis correlated proteins were altered following HBG treatment, MMP-2 and MMP-9 were down-regulated while TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were up-regulated.

CONCLUSIONS

HBG showed anticancer and antimetastatic effect towards breast cancer through regulating the expression of MMPs and TIMPs. These data sustain our contention that HBG might be used as a potential therapeutic agent.