AIM: To explore the effect of luteolin on the metastasis of ovarian carcinoma HO-8910PM cells in vitro, and to elucidate its mechanisms. METHODS: The in vitro invasion and mobility of HO-8910PM were measured by Boyden chamber assay after exposure to luteolin for 6 h. Gelatinase activity was tested by gelatin zymography assay. The expression of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), nm23 mRNA and that of ERK2 protein were tested by RT-PCR and Western blotting, respectively. RESULTS: Luteolin significantly inhibited in vitro invasiveness and mobility in HO-8910PM cells in a dose dependent manner as measured by Boyden chamber assay. Luteolin inhibited the MMP-9 secretion from HO-8910PM cells. Luteolin did not affect the mRNA expression of TIMP-1 and nm23. Luteolin also decreased ERK2 expression. CONCLUSION: Luteolin dose-dependently inhibited the metastasis of HO-8910PM cells in vitro. Inhibition of MMP-9 secretion and ERK2 expression may be involved in the anti-metastasic process of luteolin.

Diabetic nephropathy （DN） is a serious chronic microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus （DM） and a major cause of end-stage renal disease （ESRD）. It is characterized by gradual and progressive decline of renal function， which eventually leads to glomerular sclerosis， interstitial fibrosis and other serious lesions. Although modern medical treatment can partially relieve the symptoms， there are limitations such as single therapeutic effect， low long-term therapeutic effect， and severe side effects. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， with a wide effect range， lasting efficacy， and high safety， often exerts unique therapeutic effect in the clinical treatment of DN. Nuclear factor E₂-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， an anti-oxidative stress transcription factor， has received much attention. It can regulate multiple upstream and downstream factors such as heme oxygenase-1 （HO-1）， NAD（P）H： quinone oxidoreductase 1 （NQO1）， nuclear factor-κB （NF-κB）， NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain-associated protein 3 （NLRP3） inflammasome， glutathione peroxidase 4（GPX4）， and p62， playing a role in cell protection by intervening in different mechanisms. A large number of studies have found that TCM active ingredients and compound prescriptions can inhibit oxidative stress， inflammation， pyroptosis， apoptosis， and ferroptosis or promote autophagy by regulating the signaling pathway composed of Nrf2 and the above-mentioned related factors， thus protecting the kidney function， reducing proteinuria， alleviating kidney fibrosis， and significantly ameliorating DN. This review briefly summarized the structure and function of Nrf2， clarified the regulation mechanism of Nrf2 in DN， focused on the main studies on the intervention of DN by the effective components and compound formulas of TCM through the targeted activation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway in the past five years， and discussed the huge potential of Nrf2 signaling pathway as a target for the treatment of DN. The aim is to provide reference for the development and promotion of new drugs in clinical practice and promote the innovation and development of the treatment methods for DN in the future.