Objective: To study the inhibitory effect of total flavone of Litchi Semen(TFLS) on colorectal cancer cell line HT29 and its effect on mRNA and protein expressions of nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-κB)

toll-like receptors 4 (TLR4) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β). Method: Colorectal cancer cell line HT29 was cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of TFL (0

0.16

0.32

0.64

1.28

2.56 g · L-1). After TFL treated for 24

48

72 hours

the inhibition effect on proliferation was detected by [3-(4

5-dimethyl-2-thiazolyl)-2

5-diphenyl-2-H-tetrazolium bromide

MTT] analysis. Reverse transcription PCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of NF-κB

TLR4

IL-1β. The protein expressions of NF-κB

TLR4

IL-1β were detected by Western blot analysis. Result: MTT method showed that TFL could inhibit HT29 cell proliferation in a time and dose dependent manner. The treatment for 72 h and the concentrations of 2.56 g · L-1 showed the highest inhibition rate. After treated with TFL for 72 hours

both of NF-κB

IL-1β mRNA and protein expressions decreased in the TFL group

compared with blank group

particularly in 0.64 g · L-1 and 2.56 g · L-1 concentration groups (P＜0.05). TFL down-regulated TLR4 gene expression in HT29 cell line (P＜0.05)

but with insignificant differences in protein expressions. Conclusion: TFL can significantly inhibit the proliferation of HT29 cells in vitro. NF-κB may be TFL's key factor in inhibiting HT29 cell line proliferation.