Four Matrix Metalloproteinase genes involved in murine breast cancer affected by ginger extract

Abstract

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers and the second most common cause of cancer mortality in women. Some natural ingredients, including 6-gingerol (an active pharmaceutical agent in ginger), have shown significant anticancer effects against cancer cells. In this study, to find the role of ginger in breast cancer therapy, ginger ethanolic extract was injected into cancer mice. Expression of MMP-2, MMP-9, MMP-11, and MMP-13 genes was analyzed in the blood and liver, as two primary target tissues for metastasis, by the qRT-PCR method. It was found the MMP-9 is a significant target gene that is affected by the treatment, and is downregulated in both tissues. Also, it was shown, other MMPs not have the expression profile, the same as MMP-9, and then, they cannot be considered as specific significant target genes for the ginger extract to treat breast cancer in mice. The results show that ginger extract can affect breast cancer and its metastasis to other organs through influence on MMPs genes, especially MMP-9.