Objective: To observe the effects of Siteng Fang (STF)

a Chinese herb formula

on proliferation and apoptosis in hepatocarcinoma Bel-7402 cells in vitro . Method: Human hepatocarcinoma Bel-7402 cells and human normal liver HL-7702 cells were treated with different dose of STF. Cell proliferation was detected with CCK-8 (cell counting kit-8

CCK-8) assay; cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry. Apoptotic morphology was visualized by hoechst 33258 staining

and activation of caspase-3 was detected by western blot assay. Result: STF showed no obvious cytotoxicity against normal liver HL-7702 cells. Upon treatment with 100-400 mg ·L-1 STF for 24 h

proliferation of Bel-7402 cells was significantly inhibited. 100-400 mg ·L-1 STF also induced apoptosis in Bel-7402 cells. In addition

caspase-3 was activated after 100-400 mg ·L-1STF treatment. Conclusion: STF may inhibit cell proliferation

and induce apoptosis in Bel-7402 hepatocarcinoma cells. Activation of caspase-3 may be involved in the process.