Objective: To study the effect of wogonin on inhibiting the proliferation

migration and invasion of human colorectal cancer cells (HCT116 and HT29 cell lines)

and investigate its effect on tyrosine 3-monooxygenase/tryptophan 5-monooxygenase activation protein (Ywhaz) expression levels. Method: HCT116 and HT29 cell lines were cultured in vitro

and then treated with wogonin of different concentrations (5

10

20

40 μmol·L-1) for various periods. Another blank group was also set up. Then the cell counting kit(CCK-8) was used to detect the effect of wogonin on proliferation of colorectal cancer cells;Annexin V-FITC/PI double standard flow cytometry was used to detect the apoptosis of colorectal cancer cells;Transwell method was used to detect the cells migration and invasioncapacities after 24 h treatment;Fluorescense real-time quantitative PCR method was used to detect mRNA expression levels of Ywhaz after 24 h treatment with different concentrations of wogonin

and their protein expression level and phosphorylation level were detected by Western blot assay. Result: As compared with blank group

wogonin significantly inhibited the proliferation of colorectal cancer cell lines in a dose-dependent manner

and promoted apoptosis of colorectal cancer cell lines;the inhibitory effect on cells proliferation was significant by 20

40 μmol·L-1 wogonin (P < 0.01). Moreover

different concentrations of wogonin (10

20

40 μmol·L-1) could significantly reduce the number of transmembrane tumor cells (P < 0.05

P < 0.01)

down-regulate the protein and mRNA expression levels of Ywhaz and reduce the phosphorylation level of Ywhaz in HCT116 and HT29 cell lines (P < 0.05

P < 0.01). Conclusion: Wogonin can significantly inhibit the proliferation

migration and invasion of HCT116 and HT29 cell lines and induce apoptosis. Its anti-tumor mechanism may be associated with down-regulating the protein expression of Ywhaz and its phosphorylation level.