Pinosylvin reduced migration and invasion of oral cancer carcinoma by regulating matrix metalloproteinase-2 expression and extracellular signal-regulated kinase pathway

•Pinosylvin restrained the migration and invasion of oral cancer cells.•Pinosylvin reduced the enzyme activity of MMP-2 and increased the TIMP-2 expression in oral cancer cells.•Pinosylvin inhibited the ERK pathway in human oral cancer cells.•ERK signaling pathway in pinosylvin-mediated suppression of OSCC cells. [Display omitted] Pinosylvin possesses several biological properties, including anti-inflammatory, antitumor, and antioxidant characteristics. However, the effects of pinosylvin on the migration and invasion of human oral cancer cells and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. In this research, we investigated the outcome of different concentrations of pinosylvin (0–80 μM) on the metastatic and invasive abilities of SAS, SCC-9, and HSC-3 cells. Western blotting assay and Gelatin zymography assay indicated that pinosylvin inhibited the enzymatic activity of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and reduced its protein level but increased the expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-2 (TIMP-2). Additionally, the wound healing assay and Transwell method showed that pinosylvin reduced the migration of SAS, SCC-9 and HSC-3 oral cancer cells. Besides, pinosylvin decreased the phosphorylation of ERK1/2 protein experssion in both SAS and SCC-9 cells. These results indicate that pinosylvin is a potential anticancer agent for preventing oral cancer metastasis.