Objective: To investigate the effects and potential mechanisms of Xihuang Wan on cell migration and invasion in SW480 human colorectal cancer cells. Method: SW480 human colorectal cancer cells were used as the cell model. Wound healing and transwell assay were used to determine the inhibitory effects of serum of rats containing Xihuang Wan on cell migration and invasion in SW480 cells

respectively. Western blot was used to measure the protein expression levels of ERK and phospho-ERK

and the qPCR assay was used to evaluate the mRNA expression levels of E-cadherin

PARP-1

Vimentin and Snail in SW480 cells after serum containing Xihuang Wan treatment. Result: The abilities of cells migration and invasion showed dose-dependent reducing in SW480 cells after treatments with the serums containing Xihuang Wan. The qPCR results showed that the serum containing Xihuang Wan enhanced E-cadherin

while reduced PARP-1

Vimentin and Snail mRNA expression levels. In addition

Western blot results showed the decreasing phosphorylation of ERK after treatments with serum containing Xihuang pill. Conclusion: The serums containing Xihuang Wan inhibited cells migration and invasion

affected the mRNA expression levels of epithelial-mesenchymal transiton (EMT) related markers including E-cadherin

PARP-1

Vimentin and Snail in SW480 cells. The mechanism may be related to the ERK/MAPK pathway. Our studies provide further pharmacological basis for developing Xihuang Wan as a preventive/chemotherapeutic agent of metastasis in colorectal cancer.