Objective: To investigate the effect of Jianpi Huayu decoction (JHD) on the proliferation in human colorectal carcinoma cells (SW480) through PI3K/Akt pathway. Method: SW480 cells in the logarithmic phase were collected. MTT was used to determine the effect of JHD with different concentrations (0.25

0.5

1

2

4

8 g·L-1) on the proliferation of SW480 cells. Flow cytometry assay was used to determine the effects of JHD on cell cycle and apoptosis in SW480 cells. qPCR assay was used to observe the expressions of genes (PI3K

Akt

p27

Cyclin D1

Bcl-2

Bax) after JHD acting on SW480 cells. Western blot assay was used to observe the expressions of proteins (PI3KⅢ

Akt

p27

Cyclin D1

Bcl-2

Bax) after JHD acting on SW480 cells. Result: JHD inhibited the proliferation of SW480 cells in a concentration and time-dependent manner. Compared with the blank group

JHD can promote cell apoptosis after acting on SW480 cells; as the cell cycle was arrested in G0/G1 phase

JHD can obviously reduce PI3K

Akt

Cyclin D1

Bcl-2 gene and protein expressions

and significantly increase p27 and Bax gene and protein expressions (P<0.05

P<0.01). Conclusion: Jianpi Huayu decoction can inhibit the proliferation in human colorectal carcinoma cells (SW480) by down-regulating PI3K and Akt expressions

impacting downstream Cyclin D1

p27

Bcl-2 and Bax expressions

inducing G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest and apoptosis

and inhibiting the proliferation of SW480 cells.