The effects of fig leaf extract on the matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) activities in the Fibroblast (HEP2) cell culture

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) are zinc-dependent cellular proteases. These enzymes act on cell behavior, and are capable of degrading of extracellular matrix proteins. So they play a significant role in the proliferation and metastasis of malignant tumor cells. Nowadays, there has been interests towards the use of natural phytochemicals, present in natural plants such as fruits, leaves, latex and extracts of fig (Ficus carina) which were widely used, in traditional medicine, as an antibacterial, antifungal and or ointment products for treatment of skin inflammation and tumors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of fig leaf extract on the activity of MMPs, in Fibroblast (HEP2) cell culture. For this purpose, fig leaf extract was prepared in three forms: 1) aqueous, 2) hydro-alcoholic and 3) alcoholic extracts. The 24 wells cell culture plates, containing HEP2 cells, were filled with different concentration of these extracts as tests. It was considered control wells, with the same content as tests, without the extracts. The plates were incubated at 37° C and 5%CO2. The effects of different extracts, were investigated after 24, 48 and 72 hours, by determination of cell viability and cytotoxicity by trypan blue staining and Zymography test, for MMPs Activities. The result showed, the alcoholic extract caused cell death, completely, at concentration of 0.5% (5 l) and 0.1% (1 l), after 24 and 48 hours, respectively. Hydro_ alcoholic extract caused cell death, at concentration of 1% (10 l), after 72 hours. Zymography test showed the inhibitory effect of fig leaf extract on the MMPs activities, in all tested doses. All control tests showed enzyme activities with the same molecular weight bands, 92KD, as were seen in standard Marker belonged to MMP9. The present study, confirmed the inhibitory effect of fig leaf extract on the activity of MMPs in cell cultures.