Objective: To investigate the effects of serum containing Jianpi Yiqi decoction (JYD) on MHCC-97H cell apoptosis

and the changes in Vimentin and Caspase-3 in the process of apoptosis and the significance. Method: By using the serologic pharmacological method

Vimentin breaker and Caspase inhibitor were adopted to observe the effect of serum containing Jianpi Yiqi decoction at concentrations of 7.5%

15% and 30% on proliferation

invasion and apoptosis of liver tumor cells

and protein expressions of Vimentin

Caspase-3 and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1). Result: Compared with the blank serum group

decreased protein expression of Vimentin and PARP-1(P<0.01)

and increased protein expression of Caspase-3 were observed in Jianpi Yiqi decoction groups (with concentrations of 15% and 30%) and Vimentin-breaker group. The down-regulation degree of Vimentin and PARP-1 were consistent with the proliferation inhibition rate

invasion inhibition rate and apoptosis rate of MHCC-97H cells. The proliferation and invasion inhibition rates and apoptosis rate of the Vimentin-breaker group cells were the highest among all experimental groups. However

the Caspase-inhibitor group showed the lowest proliferation and invasion inhibition rates

and apoptosis rate among all experimental groups. Compared with the blank serum group

medium and high-dose JYD group and Caspase-inhibitor group showed up-regulation of Caspase-3 protein expression (P<0.01)

down-regulation in Vimentin and PARP-1 expressions (P<0.01)

and fragments in PARP-1 protein

the Caspase-inhibitor group showed down-regulation in Caspase-3 expression (P<0.01)

with no statistically significant difference in Vimentin and PARP-1 protein expressions. Conclusion: The expression of Vimentin in MHCC-97H cells was down-regulated by serum containing Jianpi Yiqi decoction

especially at the concentration of 15%. Jianpi Yiqi decoction may inhibit liver cancer cell proliferation and invasive by down-regulating Vimentin via Caspase-3

while inducing liver cancer cell apoptosis by using positive feedback apoptosis-promoting apoptosis signal formed by Caspase-3/Vimentin.