Objective: To investigate the antiproliferation effect of compound Banzhilian on COLO205 human colon cancer cells in vitro and in vivo. Method: COLO205 cells were cultured in vitro and divided into blank group

cisplatin group (0.15 g · L-1)

and compound Banzhilian high dose group

middle dose group and low dose group (0.60

0.30

0.15 g · L-1). The effect of rate of compound Banzhilian on antiproliferation rate of COLO205 cells was detected by 3-(4

5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2

5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay. Western blot assay was used to detect the expression levels of apoptosis-related proteins including Bcl-2

Bax

and p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis (PUMA). SPF nude mice were used for in vivo experiment

and they were inoculated with human colon cancer cells COLO205 in their back skin. Tumors size would be measured after they could be seen. According to the volume of tumors

nude mice were randomly divided into compound Banzhilian high and low dose groups

paclitaxel group and blank group. The effect of compound Banzhilian in vivo growth of COLO205 cells was detected with using colon cancer transplantation tumor models in nude mice. Result: In the in vitro experiment

after being treated with compound Banzhilian

most COLO205 cells were deformed with damages of cell membrane

the number of cells decreased gradually

and eventually died. Statistical analysis showed that the antiproliferation effect on COLO205 cells was at 48 h treatment with compound Banzhilian. The inhibition rates were 68.46%

63.11%

and 54.91% respectively in compound Banzhilian high

middle and low dose groups

the expression levels of Bax and PUMA were up-regulated in COLO205 cells treated with compound Banzhilian

while the expression level of Bcl-2 was down-regulated. The in vivo transplantation tumor experiment showed that tumor volume in treatment groups was significantly smaller than that of in blank group. Conclusion: Compound Banzhilian can inhibit COLO205 colon cancer cells proliferation both in vitro and in vivo

and its potential mechanism may be related to the induction of apoptosis.