Portulaca oleracea methanol extract inhibits MMP ‐9 via the inactivation of ERK and JNK in human fibrosarcoma cells

Abstract

Metastasis is the accounts for the largest portion of mortality. This study was to investigate the effect of Portulaca oleracea methanolic extract (POME) on metastasis in human fibrosarcoma cells. POME was analyzed to contain mome inositol, hexadecanoic acid, gamma-sitosterol, 2-methoxy-4-vinylphenol, neophytadiene, and friedelan-3-one by gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Among them, POME contained high amount of polyphenol. Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was found to be scavenged by the increase of catalase expression through positive modulation of nuclear factor erythroid-2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1) in the presence of POME. POME also inhibited the activation and expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) by blocking the activation of both extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) via activator protein 1 (AP-1) transcription factor. Therefore, the above results suggest that POME, a nature-friendly phytomedicine, could be used as a potential therapeutic adjuvant against metastasis. Novelty impact statement Portulaca oleracea methanolic extract (POME) increases catalase expression through positive modulation of Nrf2 and Keap1. In addition, POME inhibited the activation and expression of MMP-9 by blocking the activation of both ERK and JNK via AP-1 transcription factor. Thus, POME could be utilized as a potential therapeutic adjuvant against metastasis.