Objective: To investigate the anti-tumor effect of Erdong Gao and study the effect of nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) in Erdong Gao. Method: The dose-and time-related inhibitory effect of Erdong Gao in proliferation of A549 cells was determined by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. Effect of Erdong Gao on the p65 mRNA expression and protein expression in A549 cells were detected by reverse transcription-PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot respectively. Result: The MTT test indicated that the proliferation of A549 cells can be significantly inhibited by the drug serum of different concentrations of Erdong Gao (P<0.05)

showing certain dose-dependence and time-dependence respectively. The cell proliferation was inhibited after 24 hours of drug intervention. The most obvious inhibitory effect was detected in Erdong Gao middle-dose group (3.2 g·kg-1

bid) after intervention for 48 hours. The p65 mRNA expression and p65 protein expression in A549 cells were obviously inhibited in Erdong Gao middle-dose group after intervention for 24 hours and 48 hours respectively. Conclusion: Erdong Gao can significantly inhibit the proliferation of A549 cells in human lung adenocarcinoma cells

and its anti-tumor effect might be mediated by inhibiting NF-κB.