ABSTRACT
Objective To investigate the effects of huaier granules on invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer SW480 cells in vitro, and explore the basic mechanism. Methods The appropriate concentration and duration of huaier granules promoting SW480 cell apoptosis were determined by SubG1 method. Wound healing assay and transwell assay were used to observe the effect of huaier granules on SW480 cell invasion and metastasis. The changes of E-cadherin, twist, snail and vimentin at protein and mRNA levels were examined by Western blotting and Real-Time PCR. Results After treatment with huaier granules at 3. 0 g·L-1 for 36 h, apoptosis of SW480 cells was most significant, and wound healing assay revealed that relative mobility was (31. 36±2. 39)%, compared with (61. 11±1. 09)% in control group (P<0. 01). Number of invaded cells per field of view was (129±12) in treatment group and (354±20) in control group (P<0. 01). After treatment with huaier granules at 3. 0 g·L-1 for 36 h, protein and mRNA levels of E-cadherin were increased, while those of twist, snail and vimentin were decreased. Conclusion Huaier granules can inhibit invasion and metastasis of colorectal cancer SW480 cells in vitro through effectively depressing epithelial-mesenchymal transition.