MMP2 and gastric cancer: Regarding the effect of luteolin on the p38 signaling pathway, a recent study using gastric cancer cells has shown that luteolin exerts anti-proliferative and anti-migratory effects by inhibiting the phosphorylation of PI3K, AKT, mTOR, ERK, and p38, as well as reducing the expression of MMP-2 and MMP-9 [53].