Proanthocyanidin is one of the main active compounds found in red jasmine rice. We previously reported that red rice extract could reduce cancer cell invasion. However, the direct effect of proanthocyanidin from red rice on the invasion of cancer cells and the exact molecular mechanism remained unclear. Here, we report for the first time that proanthocyanidin-rich fraction from red rice (PRFR) reduced the migration and invasion of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cells. The types of proanthocyanidin in PRFR were identified as procyanidins and prodelphinidins by acid hydrolysis. For cancer cell invasion, degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is required. Treatment of the cells with PRFR reduced the expression of ECM degradation-associated proteins, including matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinase, urokinase plasminogen activator, urokinase plasminogen activator receptor and plasminogen activator-1. Moreover, PRFR also reduced the activity of collagenase and MMP-9. Furthermore, PRFR significantly suppressed the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 and interleukin-6. We also found that PRFR reduced the DNA-binding activity of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB), which is the expressed mediator of ECM degradation-associated proteins. These results suggest that proanthocyanidin from red rice mediates MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell invasion by altering the expression of the invasion-associated proteins, possibly by targeting NF-κB activity.Key words proanthocyanidin; red rice; invasion; nuclear factor kappa B Breast cancer is a leading cause of mortality among women worldwide including in Thailand. The metastasis of breast cancer to other sites such as the liver, bones, the lungs and lymph nodes is a critical factor contributing to the increased rate of mortality in breast cancer patients.1) The metastasis of cancer cells is a complex process involving cell adhesion, migration and proteolytic degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM). Degradation of ECM components is an important step in the metastatic process, and it is regulated by the activation of ECM degradation enzymes such as matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA).
2)Several scientific studies have shown that uPA plays an important role in tumor metastasis and over-expression of uPA in breast cancer is a strong indicator of the poor prognosis.3)The uPA converts the inactive plasminogen into the active serine protease plasmin, which is involved in the degradation of ECM. The uPA system consists of uPA, the uPA receptor (uPAR), plasminogen and its inhibitor, plasminogen inhibitor types 1 and 2 (PAI-1 and -2). The binding of uPA to uPAR not only promotes cancer metastasis but also generates signal transduction that allows enhanced cell survival and migration.
3)MMPs essentially degrade all ECM components surrounding the cancer cells, allowing them to spread from the primary site. Up-regulation of several MMPs such as MMP-2, -3, -9 and membrane type-1 matrix metalloproteinases ...