Paris saponin VII inhibits metastasis by modulating matrix metalloproteinases in colorectal cancer cells.

Metastasis is the main cause of mortality of patients with cancer-related disease. Targeting the process of metastasis has been proposed as a potential strategy in cancer treatment. Trillium tschonoskii Maxim., a traditional Chinese medicine, is used for the treatment of numerous diseases, including cancer. The current study aimed to determine the anti-metastatic effect of Paris saponin VII (PS VII), which was extracted from T. tschonoskii Maxim., using SW620 and LoVo cells, two human metastatic colorectal cancer (CRC) cell lines. The present study conducted cell attachment, wound healing and migration assays to detect the anti-metastatic effects of PS VII on colorectal cells. In addition, gelatin zymography assay and western blot analysis were used to detect the possible mechanisms involved. The results of this study demonstrated that PS VII significantly suppresses the viability, attachment, migration and invasive abilities of CRC cells in a concentration-dependent manner. In addition, PS Ⅶ reduced the expression levels and activity of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. These data indicate that PS VII reduces the metastatic capability of CRC cells, possibly via the downregulation of the expression and activity of MMP-2 and MMP-9. These results demonstrate a novel therapeutic potential for PS VII in anti-metastatic therapy.