Objective: To investigate the effects of the containing serum of Danzhi Xiaoyao powder on human breast cancer cell line MCF-7 by regulation of autophagy. Method: Rats were intragastrically given with 8.99 g·kg-1 Danzhi Xiaoyao powder to prepare the containing serum. The exponential phase MCF-7 cells were treated with containing serum of Danzhi Xiaoyao powder was inoculated on 96-well plates with the density of 1×105 cells/mL

100 μL per well. The cells were divided into blank serum group and containing serum group

with 3 double-wells in each group. They were treated for 12

24

48

72 h respectively

and then methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to measure its inhibitory effects on the growth of MCF-7 cells;the formation of autophagic vacuoles was detected using monodansylcadaverine (MDC) fluorescence microscope

and the expression of Bclin1 protein was detected using Western blotting. Result: Compared with the blank serum group

the growth of MCF-7 cells was significantly inhibited by 15% Danzhi Xiaoyao powder's containing serum

and the optimal condition was achieved after treatment for 48 h. At this time point

MDC staining fluorescence intensity and the formation of autophagic vacuoles were increased;at the same time

the expression of Beclin1 in MCF-7 cells was significantly up-regulated. Conclusion: Containing serum of Danzhi Xiaoyao powder could significantly inhibit MCF-7 breast cancer cells proliferation and induce autophagic death of cells. This may be one of the important mechanisms of its anti-breast cancer.