Paeonol exerts potential activities to inhibit the growth, migration and invasion of human gastric cancer BGC823 cells via downregulating MMP‑2 and MMP‑9.

Paeonol (Pae) is an herbal extract that has attracted extensive attention for its anti-cancer effects demonstrated by a number of studies, which have predominantly demonstrated inhibition of cell proliferation and induction of apoptosis. The influence of Pae on cancer cell metastasis has been less widely reported. The present study aimed to investigate the under-reported effects of Pae on the growth, invasion and migration of poorly differentiated BGC823 gastric cancer cells with strong invasive and metastatic abilities. The anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effects of Pae on BGC823 cells were verified by Cell Counting kit-8 and Annexin V-fluorescein isothiocyanate/propidium iodide assays. Cell scratch-wound healing and Transwell methods were applied, and it was demonstrated that Pae could exert inhibitory activities on the invasion and migration of BGC823 cells. Furthermore, it was indicated by western blot analysis that Pae could downregulate the protein expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and -9 in a concentration-dependent manner, which may support a novel potential mechanism accounting for its anti-cancer effects on gastric cancer.