DATS suppresses invasion of oral squamous cell carcinoma cell lines by reducing matrix metalloproteinase-9 via PI3K/AKT

Oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs) are the most common type of oral cancers, and high morbidity and mortality are largely attributable to late-stage diagnosis. Despite significant advances in therapeutic strategies, the 5-year survival rate still remains low. Diallyl trisulfide (DATS), an oil-soluble organosulfur compound of garlic, was recently reported for its anticancer effect on several types of cancer cells in vitro; however, these anticancer effects are still unknown in human OSCC cells. In the present study, the effects of DATS on OSCC cell invasion in vitro were investigated. Human OSCC cell lines (HSC-2 and Ca9-22 cells) were treated with DATS and examined for cell viability by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay; the suppression of cell invasion was demonstrated by transwell assay. Western blot was performed to detect the effect of DATS on the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and the activation of v-akt murine thymoma viral oncogene homolog 1 (AKT1), respectively. The results showed that DATS (at 40 μM, a nontoxic dose) and GM6001 inhibited (P 0.05) the invasion of OSCC cells, respectively, when compared to the DMSO control. DATS (at 40 μM) significantly decreased (P 0.05) the expression of MMP-9 and time-dependently inhibited (P 0.05) the activation of AKT1, respectively. Moreover, LY294002 also decreased (P 0.05) the expression of MMP-9 in a dose-dependent manner. It was concluded that DATS inhibits the invasion of OSCC cells by decreasing MMP-9 expression via the PI3K/AKT pathway.