Matrine inhibits the migratory and invasive properties of nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells

Matrine is a widely used Chinese herbal medicine that has historically been used in the treatment of inflammation and cancer. However, the antimetastatic effects and associated molecular mechanisms of matrine on nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remain to be elucidated. Therefore, the aims of the present study were to assess the antimetastatic effects of matrine on NPC, and identify the underlying mechanisms. Matrine inhibited the proliferation of NPC cells in vitro and in vivo. Furthermore, matrine inhibited the migration and invasion of NPC tumor cells at doses below the toxic range. Following treatment with matrine for 24 h, there was a decrease in the protein expression levels and activities of matrix metal-loproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9 in NPC-039 cells. In addition, matrine markedly reduced the expression levels of p65 and p50 in the nuclei. Combined treatment of matrine with helenalin, a nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) inhibitor resulted in a synergistic reduction in MMP-2 and MMP-9 expression levels, and the invasive capabilities of the NPC-039 cells were also reduced. In conclusion, matrine inhibits NPC cell migration and invasion by suppressing the NF-κB pathway. These results suggest that matrine may be a potential therapeutic agent for NPC.