Naringenin attenuated prostate cancer invasion via reversal of epithelial–to–mesenchymal transition and inhibited uPA activity

Background: Prostate cancer is highly prevalent with a high mortality among males worldwide. Naringenin has been demonstrated to exhibit multiple cellular functions. In this study, we examined the effects of naringenin on prostate cancer. Materials and Methods: Transwell and zymography assays were used to detect cell migration and urokinase plasminogen activator (uPA) activity, respectively. Alternation of protein expression was measured by western blot analysis. Results: Transwell assay and zymography revealed that naringenin suppressed the migration and invasion of PC-3 cells and uPA activity in proportion to the concentration of naringenin. Western blot analysis indicated that naringenin up-regulated E-cadherin expression, but down-regulated the expression of vimentin, SNAIL family zinc finger 1 (SNAI1), SNAIL family zinc finger 2 (SNAI2), and TWIST family bHLH transcription factor 1 (TWIST1). Conclusion: Naringenin inhibited the migration and invasion of PC-3 cells by reversing expression of proteins involved in epithelial–to–mesenchymal transition and down-regulation of uPA activity. Thus, naringenin may be a promising anti-metastasis agent for prostate cancer.