Background and purpose: Recently

it was reported that tanshinone ⅡA (TanⅡA) could inhibit proliferation

induce differentiation and apoptosis of human cancer cells. Previous studies also indicated that TanⅡA could inhibit the migration and invasion of osteosarcoma. However

the effects of TanⅡA on the migration and invasion of gastric cancer and the mechanism remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of TanⅡA on gastric cancer cell SGC7901 migration and invasion of in vitro. Methods: After different concentrations (0.5

1

2

and 4 μg/mL) of TanⅡA treatment for 24

48

and 72 h respectively

MTT assay were developed to detect the cell proliferation of SGC7901. The wound healing assay and 3D-transwell assay were used to observe the migration and invasion of SGC7901 cells

respectively. Expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1)

matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2)

matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9)

and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 2 (TIMP-2) mRNA and protein were measured with real-time PCR and Western blot. Results: 1

2

and 4 μg/mL Tan Ⅱ A showed a dose- and time- dependent growth inhibition on SGC7901 cells. 2 μg/mL Tan ⅡA showed a time-dependent migration inhibition of SGC7901 cells. 1

2

and 4 μg/mL Tan ⅡA could inhibit the invasion of SGC7901 cells. Realtime PCR and Western blot showed a reduction in expression of ICAM-1

MMP-2

and MMP-9

as well as an increase in expression of TIMP-2 (P0.05).Conclusion: TanⅡA inhibits human gastric cancer SGC7901 cell migration and invasion in vitro. TIMP-2 upregulation and

ICAM-1

MMP-2

MMP-9 downregulation might be one of the mechanisms