ABSTRACT
MMP-9 expression may be induced at the transcriptional level in response to different agents. Due to its fundamental role in cancer progression, the control of MMP expression, especially MMP-9, is the possible target of future adjuvant therapies that seek to reduce metastases and angiogenesis in women with breast cancer. Therefore, the aim of this study was to search in the literature available evidences of extracts/or natural compounds that have potential therapeutic capacity to inhibit MMP-9 expression. Extracts and/or natural compounds identified in this review play a significant role in the inhibition of MMP-9 expression via NF-kβ, and may act on the prevention of metastases from primary breast tumors. The majority of the studies found have shown that natural products are capable of suppressing migration and invasion of breast cancer cells, thus inhibiting the formation of in vitro metastases. Further studies are warranted to understand the potential mechanisms of breast cancer metastasis from signaling cascades intrinsic to the tumor. Moreover, the NF-kβ, followed by Mitogen Activated Protein Kinases / Activator protein 1 (MAPK / AP-1) were the major pathways affected by the extracts and / or compounds studied. These pathways are directly linked to MMP-9 expression.