Anthocyanins belong to a class of flavonoids, exhibiting some of the anti-tumor activities: anti- angiogenesis and anti-invasive activity. Recently, the anthocyanins from the Fruit of Vitis coignetiae Pulliat (Meoru in Korea, AIMs) have been reported to have anti-cancer activities. Here, we tested the anti-cancer effects of AIMs in human hepatocelluar carcinoma cells (Hep3B and HepG2 cells). The AIMs inhibited the proliferation of the cells in a dose dependent manner. Hep3B cells were more sensitive to AIMs. The AIMs induced apoptosis through the loss of MMP (ԤԸm). The AIMs inhibited the motility and invasion of the cells in wound healing test and Matrigel-invasion assay, respectively. The anti-migratory and anti-invasive activities of AIMs were superior to the anthocyanins isolated from black bean. In conclusion, this study indicates that AIMs have apoptotic and anti-invasive effects on human hepatocellular carcinoma cells. AIMs had stronger anti-invasive activity than the anthocyanins from coat of black bean on both Hep3B and HepG2 cells. This study provides evidence that the anthocyanins isolated from Meoru might be useful in the treatment of human hepatocelluar carcinoma. (Cancer Prev Res 14, 322-328, 2009)

Keywords: Anthocyanins, Apoptosis, Invasion, Hep3B cell, HepG2, Cancer