Objective: To investigate the antitumor activity of different solvent extracts of Momordica cochinchinensis Fructus in vivo and in vitro

and the action mechanism of ethyl acetate extracts of M. cochinchinensis with a significant antitumor effect. Method: In order to identify active components

M. cochinchinensis was extracted with solvents according to the sequence of polarities through the Soxhlet extraction method. This study assessed the potency and the underlying mechanisms of action of ethyl acetate extracts of M. cochinchinensis on cancer cells through animal experiments

and used modern biology experiment technologies to investigate its underlying mechanism. Result: Among various fractions

ethyl acetate extracts of M. cochinchinensis showed significant anti-proliferative effects in vivo and in vitro (P<0.05)

with no obvious toxic and side effect on experimental animals. This study found for the first time that ethyl acetate extracts of M. cochinchinensis could inhibit phosphorylation of epidermal growth factor (EGFR) tyrosine kinase and protein phosphorylation (P<0.05)

and expressions of phosphor-ERK1/2

phosphor-JNK and phosphor-p38 of mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPKs) in a dose-dependent manner (P<0.05). Conclusion: Ethyl acetate extracts of M. cochinchinensis could show a significant anti-cancer effect by inhibiting phosphorylation of EGFR tyrosine kinase.