Butein suppresses the expression of nuclear factor-kappa B-mediated matrix metalloproteinase-9 and vascular endothelial growth factor in prostate cancer cells.

3,4,2',4'-Tetrahydroxychalcone (butein) has potent anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer and anti-fibrogenic effects. However, little is known about the mechanism by which butein inhibits metastasis and invasion. This study aimed to investigate the effects of butein on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-9) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human prostate cancer cells. Butein in vitro resulted in a moderate inhibition of cell proliferation and viability through G(2)/M phase arrest. We also analyzed the effect of butein on the activities of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-regulated MMP-9 and VEGF since they are prominently involved in the processes of tumor cell invasion and metastasis. Our results in vitro showed that butein attenuates VEGF and MMP-9 activities via the suppression of NF-κB activity. Furthermore, butein repressed the expression of VEGF and MMP-9 induced by treatment with tumor necrosis factor-α and phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate. Taken together, these data suggest that a blockade of NF-κB activity by butein inhibits invasion and angiogenesis in prostate cancer cells.