Atractylodes lancea Crude Extract Suppresses Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Metastasis via NF-kB signaling Pathway Inhibition

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype characterized by poor prognosis, high recurrence rates, and limited targeted therapies, often leading to metastasis in the brain, bones, lungs, and liver. The NF-kB signaling pathway plays a crucial role in TNBC metastasis. However, the potential of novel herbal medicines as anti-metastatic agents remains underexplored. This study investigates the effects of Atractylodes lancea (AL) crude extract on phosphorylated p65 NF-kB reduction and its impact on TNBC cell migration and invasion. METHODS: High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis identified bioactive compounds in AL crude extract. Cytotoxicity was evaluated using MTT assays on MDA-MB-231 cells at 24 and 48 hours. Sub-lethal doses from cytotoxicity assays were used to assess anti-migration and anti-invasive effects via wound healing and gelatin zymography assays, respectively. Immunoblot analysis examined epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT)-related proteins and NF-kB expression. RESULT: AL crude extract significantly inhibited TNBC cell proliferation in a dose- and time-dependent manner, with IC50 values of 92.11±0.01 μg/ml (24 h) and 95.80±0.01 µg/ml (48 h). Wound healing assays confirmed reduced cell migration, while gelatin zymography showed decreased matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) enzymatic activity. Immunoblot analysis revealed increased E-cadherin expression, reduced vimentin expression, and significant suppression of phosphorylated NF-κBp65 levels. CONCLUSION: AL crude extract exhibits promising anti-cancer effects by modulating EMT markers, reducing cell motility, and inhibiting NF-κB signaling. These findings suggest its potential as a therapeutic agent for TNBC metastasis suppression.