Objective: To investigate the Effect of quercetin on proliferation

apoptosis

adhesion

migration and invasion ability of U937 cells and expressions of matrix metalloproteinase-2(MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9). Method: U937 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with quercetin at various doses(0

10

20

40 μmol·L-1)for 24

48

72 h. The proliferation of U937 cells was measured by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8). U937 cells were randomly divided into blank group

quercetin 10 μmol·L-1 group

quercetin 20 μmol·L-1 group and quercetin 40 μmol·L-1 group. Apoptotic rates were evaluated by terminal dexynucleotidyl transferase(TdT)-mediated dUTP nick end labeling(TUNEL). Adhesion of the cells was detected by the cell adhesion assay. Migration ability was evaluated by the wound healing assay. Invasion ability was evaluated by the transwell chamber assay. Expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 were detected by Western blot. Result: The proliferation of U937 cells was inhibited by quercetin. As compared with the blank group

quercetin 10 μmol·L-1 group

quercetin 20 μmol·L-1 group and quercetin 40 μmol·L-1 group significantly increased apoptotic indexes in U937 cells(P<0.05

P<0.01); and significantly decreased adhesion rates

migration rates

numbers of invasive cells

expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in U937 cells(P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Quercetin could significantly inhibit the migration and invasion ability of U937 cells

and mechanism may be associated with down-regulating expressions of MMP-2 and MMP-9 in U937 cells.