Objective: To investigate anti-proliferative effects of matrine on human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells and its mechanism. Method: Effects of matrine(0.5

1.0

2.0 g· L-1) on SK-N-SH cell proliferation were tested by SRB assay. Cell cycle and apoptosis of SK-N-SH were measured by flow cytometry. The levels of caspase-3 and caspase-9 within the cells were analyzed by Western blot. Result: Matrine inhibited the proliferation of SK-N-SH cells in a dose-and time-dependent manner.The inhibition rate was(19.06±3.17)%

(30.18±3.02)%

(38.55±6.12)%;(45.12±4.02)%

(60.45±5.51)%

(71.38±7.91)%;(58.91±4.36)%

(73.44±8.17)%

(88.37±4.57)% after treated with matrine by 0.5

1.0

2.0 g· L-1 in 24 h

48 h and 72 h

respectively. Flow cytometry apoptosis in the control group and each concentration group were (2.45±0.49)%

(12.56±2.21)%

(19.44±4.32)%

(30.12±3.35)%

compared with the control group

the matrine-treated cells showed increased apoptosis rate (P<0.001)

increased percentage arrested in G0/G1 phase (P<0.01) and decreased S phase cells (P<0.01).Matrine significantly increased the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 of SK-N-SH cells. Conclusion: Matrine can inhibit the proliferation of SK-N-SH cell and the mechanism may be correlated to cell cycle arrest and apoptosis induced by activation of caspase-3 and caspase-9.