Objective: To investigate the inhibitory effect of Akebia trifoliate seed ethanol extract on the proliferation and adhesion of HepG2 cells and the corresponding mechanism. Method: HepG2 hepatoma cells were treated with different concentrations(1.5

1.8

2.1

2.4

2.7

3.0 g·L-1) of A. trifoliate seed ethanol extracts or different concentrations(0.5

1.0

2.0

4.0

8.0

32 μmol·L-1)of Integrin inhibitor Cilengitide for 24 hours. The thiazolyl blue tetrazolium method (MTT) was used to get cell viability data. Based on this data

herb group (1.8 g·L-1)

Cilengitide group (1.5 μmol·L-1)

and the half-dose combination group (0.9 g·L-1plus 0.75 μmol·L-1)were set. Cell-matrix adhesion capacity and related adhesion proteins were detected after intervention for 24 hours. Result: In MTT test

after treated with different drugs for 24 h

the survival rate of HepG2 hepatoma cells was 86.8% in herb extract group (1.8 g·L-1)

and about 89.4% in Cilengitide group (1.5 μmol·L-1). In cell-matrix adhesion test

the rate value was (100±11.5)% in control group

(32.3±14.0)% in herb group

(33.8±5.7)% in cilengitide group and (33.4±6.4)% in combination group

with statistically significant differences between these treatment groups and control group (P<0.01). Protein expressions of calpain small subunit 1 (CAPNS1)

selenoprotein P (SEPP1) and Integrin alpha-2 (ITGA2) in herb group were increased (P<0.05); in cilengitide group

protein SEPP1 was increased (P<0.05) and Integrin subunit alpha V (ITGAV) expression was decreased (P <0.01); protein expressions of CAPNS1 and SEPP1 protein were increased in the combined group (P<0.05)

and protein ITGAV was decreased (P <0.05). Conclusion: The ethanol extract of A. trifoliate seed can inhibit the proliferation and adhesion of HepG2 hepatoma cells

and there are potentials of dosage reduction and synergistic effect after combined with Cilengitide. The above changes in adhesion-related protein expression may be part of the herb's action mechanism.