Objective: To investigate the effect of matrine on the apoptosi of human colon cancer cell line SW480

and to explore its underlying mechanism. Method: The effect of matrine on SW480 cell line proliferation was detected by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay

its effect on SW480 cell apoptosis was detected by Hoechst33258 staining and flow cytometry was used to determine the apoptosis rate. Protein levels of proteinkinase B (Akt)

p-Akt

B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2)

and Baxin SW480 cells were detected by Western blot. Result: Matrine(0.25

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0 g·L-1) inhibited SW480 cell proliferation in time and dose-dependent manners. The half maximal inhibitory concentration(IC50) was 1.72

1.08

0.67 g·L-1 respectively for 24

48

72 h. Hoechst33258 staining and flow cytometry showed that matrine could significantly induce apoptosis of SW480(P<0.01). The apoptosis rate was gradually increased with the increase of drug concentration. Western blot results showed that after adding matrine in the SW480 cells

the expression levels of p-Akt and Bcl-2 were down-regulated (P<0.05)

while the expression level of Bax was up-regulated and the expression level of total Akt wasn't affected. Conclusion: Matrine could induce apoptosis in SW480 cells

which may be related to the inhibition of Akt Signaling Pathway and the related downstream targets.