Objective: To observe the anti-proliferation effect of quereetin on human prostate cancer PC-3 cells and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways

and explore its possible mechanisms of anti-prostate cancer. Method: PC-3 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with capsaicin at various concentrations. The cells without quereetin treatment were used as blank group. Methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to observe anti-proliferation effect of quereetin on PC-3 cells

and 50%inhibitory concentration (IC50) was calculated. Apoptosis of PC-3 cells was observed by flow cytometry

the protein expressions and transcriptional levels of β-catenin and its downstream target genes (Cyclin D1 and c-Myc) were analyzed by Western blot and reverse transcription-PCR(RT-PCR)

immunofluorometric assay was used to detect the effect of quereetin on β-catenin expressions

luciferase reporter assay was performed to detect the effect of quereetin on Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways in PC-3 cells. Result: As compared with the blank group

quereetin significantly inhibited proliferation of PC-3 cells (P<0.05) and induced their apotosis (P<0.05). Quereetin also significantly reduced protein expressions and transcriptional levels of β-catenin

suppressed the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and down-regulated the expressions of downstream target genes (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Quercetin could significantly inhibit the proliferation of PC-3 cells and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.