Objective: To investigate the effect of icariin (ICA) on the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells EC9706 and identify its mechanism of action. Method: EC9706 cells were stimulated by different concentrations of ICA for 48 h

then CCK8 assay was performed to detect the proliferation of EC9706 cells;Hoechst33342 staining and fluorescence microscope were used to detect cells apoptosis;reverse transcription-polymerase charin reaction(RT-PCR) was used to detect B-cell lymphoma/leukemia2(Bcl-2) and Bcl-2 associated xprotein(Bax) mRNA expression

Western blot was used to detect Bax and Bcl-2 protein expression. Result: ICA could significantly inhibit proliferation of EC9706 cells. Cell apoptosis morphological changes were found in EC9706 cells after ICA treatment.Western blot results showed Bax protein expression was decreased

while Bcl-2 protein expression was increased. Conclusion: ICA could significantly inhibit the proliferation of human esophageal cancer EC9706 cells

and the mechanism of apoptosis may be associated with up-regulating the expression of Bax protein and down-regulating the expression of Bcl-2 protein.