Abstract. Morus alba leaf (MAL), also known as Mori folium when used as a herbal medicine, has traditionally been used in Chinese medicine to treat diabetes, protect the liver and lower blood pressure. In the present study, MAL was collected from various regions in Korea and the antioxidant activity, total polyphenol contents and main flavonoid contents was investigated. MAL were collected from various areas in Korea and extracted with methanol. The total polyphenol contents were evaluated based on the Folin-Ciocalteu method using a spectrophotometer. The antioxidant activities were determined by a 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay method. The identification and quantification of three main polyphenol constituents was performed using high-performance liquid chromatography/diode array detection analysis. The total polyphenol contents of the MAL extracts varied between 23.2 and 55.4 mg gallic acid equivalent/g. The radical scavenging activity (SC 50 ) of the MAL extracts ranged between 584 and 139 µg/ml. Three flavonol compounds (rutin, isoquercitrin and astragalin) were identified as main polyphenol constituents. These contents varied from 0.68-12.7, 0.69-9.86 and 0.05-3.55 mg/g, respectively. The average of the total was 9.52 mg/g, which was similar to that of commercial MAL extracts (10.58 mg/g). Among the three flavonol compounds, isoquercitrin showed the highest content (5.68 mg/g) followed by rutin (3.1 mg/g) and astragalin (2.4 mg/g). In the present study, the radical scavenging activity, polyphenol content and flavonol content of MAL were significantly different according to growing area. These three flavonol compounds were identified as main constituents of MAL in this study, and are known to have various biological activities, as well as strong antioxidant activities. Therefore, the sum of these three flavonol compounds was indicated as a good marker for the quality control of Mori folium.

Ampelopsis japonica (AJ) is a well‑known traditional oriental herb with anti‑inflammatory and anticancer activities. However, the molecular mechanisms by which AJ inhibits metastasis in breast cancer cells remain to be elucidated. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of AJ ethanol extract (EAJ) on highly metastatic human MDA‑MB‑231 breast cancer cells in vitro. AJ was extracted and chemically characterized. Cell proliferation was determined using a CCK‑8 assay and migration was detected using a wound healing motility assay. A Transwell assay was used to evaluate the invasion and metastatic capabilities of the MDA‑MB‑231 cells. In addition, the mRNA expression levels of metalloproteinase (MMP)‑2 and MMP‑9 and tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)‑1 and TIMP‑2 were evaluated using reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction in vitro. The results of the present study characterized the signaling cascades that mediated the antimetastatic activity of AJ in the human MDA‑MB‑231 breast cancer cell line. EAJ significantly suppressed the migration and invasion of MDA‑MB‑231 cells in vitro and inhibited the expression of metalloproteinase (MMP)‑2 and MMP‑9. These findings identified the biological activity of EAJ in an in vitro model of cancer metastasis and provided a rationale for further investigation.