Resveratrol Prevents Breast Cancer Metastasis by Inhibiting Wnt/β-Catenin Pathway-Mediated Epithelial–Mesenchymal Transition

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women, and metastatic breast cancer remains a major cause of cancer-related deaths. Resveratrol (RSV) is a natural compound found in various plants and is known to exhibit various anti-cancer effects. The present study aims to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of RSV in inhibiting breast cancer metastasis in a murine model of 4T1 breast tumor that shares close molecular features with human triple negative breast cancer. Methods: Murine breast cancer 4T1 cells were used to examine the effects of RSV on breast cancer metastasis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). In vitro cell proliferation and Transwell migration assays and in vivo 4T1 tumor transplantation models were established in female Balb/c mice to determine the anti-metastatic effects of RSV and its mechanism of action. Results: RSV significantly inhibited 4T1 tumor cell migration and significantly decreased expression levels of EMT markers Snail and Vimentin, as well as the nuclear translocation of β-catenin both in vitro and in vivo. Knockdown of β-catenin similarly reduced the expression levels of EMT markers. RSV significantly decreased the number of lung metastases in 4T1-implanted mice by inhibiting Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway activation. RSV (150 mg/kg/day) reduced the number of visible tumor metastatic nodules and the histological count of metastatic lung carcinomas by 51.82% and 62.58%, respectively, compared to vehicle administration. Conclusions: Our study provides important new mechanistic insight into the strong anti-cancer effects of RSV in inhibiting 4T1 breast cancer metastasis by preventing Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway-mediated epithelial-mesenchymal transition. These findings suggest the therapeutic potential of RSV as a promising drug in the treatment of metastatic breast cancer.