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Background: Metastasis of cancer cells is the primary responsible for death in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC). Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-induced matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are essential for the metastasis process. Silibinin is a natural compound extracted from the Silybum marianum that exhibits anti-neoplastic activity in cancer cell lines. In this study, we evaluated the effects of silibinin on MMP-2 and MMP-9 induced by TGF-β in human HT-29 CRC cell line and the potential mechanism underlying the effects. Methods: The present in vitro study was done on the HT-29 cell line. The HT-29 cell line was cultured in RPMI1640 and exposed to TGF- β (5 ng/ml) in the absence and presence of different concentrations of silibinin (10, 25, 50, and 100 μM). The effect of silibinin on HT-29 cell viability was measured with the MTT assay. A real-time polymerase chain reaction (Real-Time PCR) determined the relative mRNA expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9. Western blotting was employed to examine MMP-2 and MMP 9 protein expression and Smad2 phosphorylation. Results: Silibinin inhibits cell viability of HT-29 cell line at 24 hours in a dose-dependent manner. TGF-β increased the mRNA and protein expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, and phosphorylated Smad2 compared to controls. Pharmacological inhibition with silibinin markedly blocked TGF-β–induced MMP-2 and MMP-9 mRNA and protein expression and Smad2 phosphorylation. Conclusion: Silibinin decreased the cell viability of HT-29 cancer cells in a dose-dependent manner. Silibinin also inhibited TGF-β-stimulated MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression in HT-29 cells, possibly mediated with the Smad2 signaling pathway.

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Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), and E-cadherin play a vital role in the behavior of angiogenesis, metastasis, and invasion of breast tumor cells. Piperine, the main component of Piper Nigrum, has shown anti-cancer properties in various malignancies. This Study investigates the potential effect of piperine on MMP-9, E-cadherin, and VEGF expression in breast cancer MCF-7 cell line. Methods: MTT assay was applied to assess the viability of MCF-7 cells. The mRNA levels of MMP-9, VEGF, and E-cadherin were assayed by qRT-PCR. Western blot was performed to identify the protein level of MMP-9. Results: MTT assay results showed that piperine treatment (5, 10, 25, 50, 75, and 100 μM) for 24 hours effectively inhibited cell viability of MCF-7 cells as compared with the control group. Furthermore, the gene expression of VEGF, MMP-9, and E-cadherin was dose-dependently suppressed by piperine treatment (5, 10 and 25 μM) (P<0.05; P<0.01). The results also indicated that piperine (5, 10, and 25 μM) significantly suppressed MMP-9 protein expression after 24 hours of piperine treatment (P<0.01). Conclusion: These results suggest that piperine may prevent angiogenesis, migration, and invasion of MCF-7 cells by suppressing MMP-9 and VEGF, and by inducing E-cadherin expression. Hence, it may be a suitable candidate for designing new drugs in cancer therapy.

Background: Prostate cancer is one of the most widespread cancers in the world. Early diagnosis is the most important factor in treatment efficiency. Furthermore, new methods for early diagnosis and treatment play an important role. In this study, we designed targeted conjugation of antibodies with iron nanoparticles and evaluated the binding properties of antibodies to prostate cancers and benign tissues. This method in addition to having a lower cost has high sensitivity and specificity. Methods: Anti- PSCA antibodies were purified and conjugated to super magnetic oxide nanoparticles (SPION). Then, iron staining on prostate adenocarcinoma tissues was performed. At the same time, immunohistochemically staining was performed on similar tissues to compare the results. In addition, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) samples were used as a control sample. Results: In adenocarcinoma tissues with iron staining, many blue spots are seen compared to benign tissues, and the number of these spots increases with increasing tumor grade. Conclusion: These findings indicate the characteristic of iron staining as a conjugate antibody to iron can be an appropriate approach to specific staining of tumor markers in cancer tissues and can be used to diagnose prostate cancer due to its safety, low cost, sensitivity, and specificity.