Objective: To explore the effect of α-hederin (α-HN) on the proliferation and apoptosis in melanoma B16 cells and its underling mechanism. Method: The melanoma B16 cells were conventionally cultivated to the logarithmic phase and treated with different concentrations of α-HN (50

100

200 μmol·L-1). B16 cells untreated with α-HN were set up as blank group. The cell proliferation was detected by 3-(4

5-dimethyl thiazole)-2

5-diphenyl 4 azole nitrogen bromine salt (MTT) method after 24

48

72 h of treatment

and the apoptosis rate

activities of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9

expressions of Bcl-2

Bax

phosphorylation phosphatidyl inositol-3-hydroxy kinase (p-PI3K)

phosphorylation protein kinase B (p-Akt) and phosphorylation rapamycin target protein (p-mTOR) were evaluated by flow cytometry

Caspase activity detection kits and Western blot

respectively. Result: Compared with blank group

the cell proliferation inhibition rate in α-HN groups was increased significantly after being treated with 50

100

200 μmol·L-1 α-HN for 24

48

72 h (P<0.01)

and B16 cell proliferation inhibition rate increased significantly; compared with blank group

the cell apoptosis rate was increased

the activities of Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 were enhanced

the Bcl-2 level reduced

and Bax level increased in α-HN groups

with statistically significant differences (P<0.01); compared with blank group

expressions of p-PI3K

p-Akt and p-mTOR were reduced in α-HN groups

with statistically significant differences (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: α-HN has the effects in inhibiting cell proliferation and inducing apoptosis in melanoma B16 cells

which may be related with the inhibition of PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathway

with a good application prospect in the treatment of melanoma.