Objective:To investigate the effects of Weichangan decoction

a Chinese herbal formula

on epithelial mesenchymal transition in gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells.Method: SGC-7901 cells were seeded and allowed to attach

then the model of epithelial mesenchymal transition was established by transforming growth factor-β1（TGF-β1）（5 μg·L-1） treatment.In Weichangan group

cells were further treated with Weichangan decoction（1 000 mg·L-1）.Five days later

cell morphology was observed by microscope

expressions of E-cad

N-cad

vimentin

Protein kinase B（P-AKT

AKT）

Twist and Snail were detected by western blot.Result: After TGF-β1 treatment

SGC-7901 cells exhibited a narrow elongated and more loosely connected morphology

the relative expression of E-cad was down-regulated 0.241

and the relative expression of N-cad and vimentin were up-regulated 0.225 and 0.371 respectively

suggested epithelial mesenchymal transition was induced in SGC-7901 cells.Compared with model group

SGC-7901 cells in Weichangan group exhibited a pebble-like atypical epithelial morphology.In addition

upon Weichangan decoction treatment

the relative expression of E-cad were up-regulated 0.210

and the relative expression of N-cad

vimentin

P-AKT

AKT

Twist and Snail were down-regulated 0.119

0.124

0.248

0.085

0.402

0.382 respectively.Conclusion:Weichangan decoction has inhibitory effects on epithelial mesenchymal transition in gastric carcinoma SGC-7901 cells

and may related to inhibition of AKT expression and phosphorylation

and down-regulation of Twist and Snail.