Objective: To study the molecular mechanism on anti-tumor effect of hepatocellular carcinoma prescription (Quanfang) and its different disassembled prescriptions. Method: SMMC7721 human hepatoma cells were cultured in vitro and treated with 2.5-100 g·L-1 Quanfang

Qingrefang

Huoxuefang and Jianpifang for 24 h. Then cells proliferation was measured by methylthiazolyldiphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. After SMMC7721 cells were treated with 1.25-20 g·L-1 Quanfang

5-20 g·L-1 Qingrefang and Huoxuefang and 20-120 g·L-1 Jianpifang for 24 h

related gene expression levels were detected by Real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (Real-time PCR). After SMMC7721 cells were treated with 20 g·L-1 Quanfang and Qingrefang

10 g·L-1 Huoxuefang and 120 g·L-1 Jianpifang for 24 h

related protein expression levels were detected by Western blot and cell cycle changes were detected by PI/RNase staining solution reagent staining. Result: As compared with blank control group

Quanfang and different disassembled prescriptions inhibited the proliferation of SMMC7721 cells and showed dose-effect relationship (P<0.05). As compared with the blank control group

CDKN1B gene expression was inhibited significantly by 5-20 g·L-1 Qingrefang and 20-120 g·L-1 Jianpifang (P<0.05) in a dose-effect manner. SGK1 gene expression was inhibited significantly by 5-20 g·L-1 Quanfang and Qingrefang (P<0.05); Quanfang and different disassembled prescriptions can inhibited SGK1 phosphorylated protein expression. SGK1 gene expression was inhibited by 5-20 g·L-1 Qingre disassembled prescriptions and 20-120 g·L-1 Jianpi disassembled prescriptions (P<0.05). FOXO3 gene expression was promoted significantly respectively by 1.25

20 g·L-1 Quanfang

15

20 g·L-1 Qingre disassembled prescriptions and 20 g·L-1 Huoxue disassembled prescriptions (P<0.05). As compared with blank control group

the number of G2/M cells was increased in Quanfang group (P<0.05) and was increased more significantly in Qingre group and Jianpi group (P<0.05). CyclinE1 protein expression was inhibited by Quanfang and different disassembled prescriptions

and the effect was most significant in Jianpi group. Conclusion: Quanfang and different disassembled prescriptions play a role in inhibiting liver cancer by altering cell proliferation and cycle.