[Inhibitive effect of ursolic acid on the invasion and metastasis of ovarian carcinoma cells HO-8910PM].

OBJECTIVE

To study the effects of ursolic acid (UA) on the invasion and metastasis of ovarian carcinoma cell HO-8910PM and its underlying mechanism.

METHODS

MTT assay was performed to examine the effects of UA on the proliferation of ovarian carcinoma cells HO-8910PM in vitro. The effects of UA on the invasion and migration of HO-8910PM were evaluated using Transwell chambers attached with polycarbonate filters and reconstituted basement membrane. Gelatin zymography was performed to detect the activity of gelatinase in the HO-8910PM cells. The expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the HO-8910PM cells were measured by Western blot.

RESULTS

UA inhibited the proliferation of HO-8910PM cells in a time- and dose-dependent manner. There was a statistically significant difference in the invasion and migration of HO-8910PM cells between the UA treated cells and the controls (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). UA inhibited the activity of gelatinase of the treated cells.

CONCLUSION

UA downregulated the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9. UA inhibits the invasion and metastasis of HO-8910PM cells, probably through inhibiting the activity of gelatinase and the expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9.