Metastasis is the primary cause of from breast cancer mortality. Cell migration and invasion play important roles in neoplastic metastasis. Matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9), which degrades the extracellular matrix (ECM), plays an important role in cancer cell invasion. NF-κB is transcription factor important in the regulation of MMP-9, as the promoter of MMP-9 gene contains binding sites for NF-κB. Brazilin, an active component of sappan wood (Caesalpinia sappan), decreases TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and invasion in MCF-7 cells. Also, brazilin suppressed NF-κB activation in TPA-treated MCF-7 cells. Taken together, we demonstrated that the inhibition of TPA-induced MMP-9 expression and cell invasion by brazilin is mediated by the suppression of the NF-κB pathway in MCF-7 cells. This result suggest brazilin provide a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of breast cancer.

ABSTRACT
 Introduction
 Materials and Methods
  Cells and Material
  Determination of cell viability
  Western blot analysis
  Gelatin Zymography assay
  Quantitative real-time PCR assay
  Preparation of nuclear extract
  Electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA)
  Invasion assay
 Results
  Effect of brazilin on of MCF-7 cell viability
  Brazilin inhibits TPA-induced MMP-9 expression inMCF-7 cells
  Brazilin suppresses TPA-induced NF-κB DNA bindingactivity in MCF-7 cells
  Brazilin inhibits TPA-induced invasion of MCF-7cells
 Discussion
 References

• Byeong-Soo Kim(Department of Companion and Laboratory Animal Science, Kongju National University) Correspondence to