Effects of the ethyl acetate fraction of Spatholobi caulis on tumour cell aggregation and migration

Abstract

The ethyl acetate (EA) fraction obtained from a methanol extract of Spatholobi caulis (Leguminosae) has been investigated for anti‐metastatic activities in vitro. The EA fraction of Spatholobi caulis inhibited platelet aggregation induced by B16BL6 melanoma cells with an IC₅₀ of 50 μg/mL. The EA fraction significantly inhibited HT1080 cancer cell invasion through a matrigel‐coated filter with an IC₅₀ of 25 μg/mL. Messenger RNA expression of uPA was effectively decreased in HT1080 cells by the EA fraction of Spatholobi caulis with an IC₅₀ of 30 μg/mL, but the expressions of MMP‐2 (matrix metalloproteinase) and TIMPs (tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases) were not changed. These findings indicated that the EA fraction suppressed tumour cell invasion by downregulation of uPA (urokinase‐type plasminogen activator). Taken together, these results suggest that the EA fraction of Spatholobi caulis may have anti‐metastatic activities by blocking tumour cell‐induced platelet aggregation (TCIPA) and tumour cell invasion. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.