Minecoside Modulates Cell Invasion via Regulation of CXCR4 Expression in Breast and Colon Cancer Cells

Metastasis, which is closely linked to cancer-related deaths, is a highly complex process. It is an organ-specific process and involves interactions between the host and cancer cells. CXC chemokine receptor 4 is known to be expressed in various tumors and the binding with CXC ligand 12 induces signaling in cancer cell survival, migration, and proliferation. Particularly, the CXC chemokine receptor 4/CXC ligand 12 axis is known to promote the metastasis of breast cancer. Thus, agents that can downregulate CXC chemokine receptor 4 expression have potential against cancer metastasis. Minecoside is an active compound extracted from Veronica peregrina L. It is widely distributed in Korea and has been used as a traditional drug for the treatment of various chronic diseases. However, the anticancer and anti-inflammatory effects of minecoside have yet to be clarified. In this study, we found that minecoside downregulates constitutive CXC chemokine receptor 4 expression in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells. This downregulation also occurred at the transcriptional level. Minecoside-mediated suppression of CXC chemokine receptor 4 expression inhibited CXC ligand 12-induced invasion of breast and colorectal cancer cells. Overall, our results suggest that minecoside can be a novel anticancer agent that can inhibit cancer metastasis through inhibition of CXC chemokine receptor 4 expression.