Objective: To investigate the effect of Qingre Huoxue Jiedu complex prescription (QHJD) on the apoptosis and proliferation of the tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α) induced HaCat cell in vitro

in order to provide basis for revealing potential mechanism for treating psoriasis. Method: TNF-α-induced HaCat cells in vitro were cultured and exposed to the crude extract of QHJD with low

middle and high concentrations. Morphological changes were observed under inverted microscope. Cell proliferation was detected by CCK-8 method. Cell apoptosis was analyzed by flow cytometry. Expression levels of Bcl-xl and Bax protein of HaCat cell was detected by Western blot method. Expression levels of Bcl-xl and Bax mRNA expressions of HaCat cell was detected by Real-Time PCR. Result: Compared to the blank group

the QHJD groups showed a reduction in the number of cells per unit area under the microscope and cells volume

decrease or disappearance of connections between cells

and enlargement in intercellular space;all the QHJD groups can inhibit the HaCat cells proliferation (P<0.05)

with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Specifically

and the high-dose group can inhibit the HaCat cells proliferation obviously (P<0.01);the QHJD groups can increase the expression level of Bax protein

with statistically significant difference (P<0.05);the QHJD groups can increase the expression level of Bax mRNA

with statistically significant difference (P<0.05). Conclusion: QHJD might inhibit the TNF-α-induced HaCat cells proliferation and treat psoriasis by up-regulating the expression of Bax protein and mRNA and inducing apoptosis.