Inhibition of metalloproteinase activity by fruit extracts.

While the metalloproteinase enzymes are essential for development and remodeling of tissues, aberrant over expression of these enzymes contributes to several pathologic conditions. In particular, metalloproteinase over expression in cancer plays a significant role in metastasis by providing a mechanism for invasion and spread. The data presented here indicate that water extracts of raspberries, blackberries and muscadine grapes inhibit the activities of metalloproteinases 2 and 9. This inhibition could contribute to the suppression of carcinogenesis by diets high in fruit content.