The molecular mechanism may be through reducing the expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) in hepatocellular carcinoma Bel-7402 cells, reducing the degradation of the extracellular matrix and basement membrane, and decreasing the cells' invasion and metastasis ability. The gene discussed is MMP2; the disease is hepatocellular carcinoma.