Objective: To study the effect and mechanism of Liujunzi Tang extract on the proliferation of human esophageal carcinoma cell. Method: Esophageal carcinom Eca109 cells were grown in 96-well plates and treated with different concentrations of Liujunzi Tang extract (10

20

40

60

80

100 mg·L-1). There were 8 wells for each concentrations of Liujunzi Tang extract groups and for the normal group. Inhibitive effect of Liujunzi Tang extract on proliferation was detected by MTT assay

cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometer and cellular morphology was observated by laser scanning confocal microscopy. Result: Liujunzi Tang extract produced a dose-dependent inhibition on the proliferation of Eca109 cells within the concentration of 10-100 mg·L-1 (P<0.05). Compared to the normal group

Liujunzi Tang extract could significantly increase the apoptosis rate of Eca109 cells after being cultered for 48 h at the concentration of 21.06

49.65

67.47 mg·L-1 (P<0.05)

and the numbers of the apoptotic cells in the early or late stages were increased obviously. Conclusion: Liujunzi Tang extract could significantly inhibit the proliferation of Eca109 cells by inducing cell apoptosis. Its exact mechanism will be further investigated.