The Inhibitory Effects of <i>Terminalia catappa</i> L. Extract on the Migration and Invasion of Human Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells

• Published in: Pharmaceuticals
• Main Authors: Hsiao-Hang Chung, Ming-Ju Hsieh, Yih-Shou Hsieh, Pei-Ni Chen, Chung-Po Ko, Nuo-Yi Yu, Chiao-Wen Lin, Shun-Fa Yang
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-11-01
• Subjects: glioblastoma multiforme; invasion; migration; brain cancer; <i>Terminalia catappa</i> L.
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8247/14/11/1183

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is one of the most aggressive and common types of brain tumor. Due to its high proliferation ability, a high lethality rate has been observed with this malignant glial tumor. <i>Terminalia catappa</i> L. (<i>T</i><i>. catappa</i>) is currently known to have anti-inflammatory and anti-carcinogenesis effects. However, few studies have examined the mechanisms of the leaf extracts of <i>T</i><i>. catappa</i> (TCE) on GBM cells. In the current study, we demonstrated that TCE can significantly inhibit the migration and invasion capabilities of GBM cell lines without showing biotoxic effects. Matrix metalloproteinases-2 (MMP-2) activity and protein expression were attenuated by reducing the p38 phosphorylation involved in the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway. By treating with TCE and/or p38 inhibitor (SB203580), we confirmed that p38 MAPK is involved in the inhibition of cell migration. In conclusion, our results demonstrated that TCE inhibits human GBM cell migration and MMP-2 expression by regulating the p38 pathway. These results reveal that TCE contains potent therapeutic compounds which could be applied for treating GBM brain tumors.