Vanillin Suppresses Metastatic Potential of Human Cancer Cells through PI3K Inhibition and Decreases Angiogenesis in Vivo

Vanillin, a food flavoring agent, has been shown to suppress cancer cell migration and metastasis in a mouse model, but its mechanism of action is unknown. In this report, we have examined the antimetastatic potential of vanillin and its structurally related compounds, vanillic acid, vanillyl alcohol, and apocynin on hepatocyte growth factor (HGF)-induced migration of human lung cancer cells by the Transwell assay. Vanillin and apocynin could inhibit cell migration, and both compounds selectively inhibited Akt phosphorylation of HGF signaling, without affecting phosphorylation of Met and Erk. Vanillin and apocynin could inhibit the enzymatic activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), as …