The Effect of Piperine on MMP-9, VEGF, and E-cadherin Expression in Breast Cancer MCF-7 Cell Line

  • Zahra Zare
  • Tina Nayerpour Dizaj
  • Armaghan Lohrasbi
  • Zakieh Sadat Sheikhalishahi
  • Mohammad Panji
  • Fahimeh Hosseinabadi
  • Vajiheh Najafi
  • Omid Abazari
  • Mojtaba Abbasi
  • Parisa Khanicheragh
Keywords: Piperine, MCF-7, MMP-9, VEGF, E-cadherin

Abstract

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.

Published
2021-03-15
Section
Articles