Extract of Fungi of Huaier(EFH), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been shown to possess anti-tumor effect.However, the role and mechanisms of EFH in colon cancer are still unknown.This study aimed to explore effects of EFH on colon cancer cell growth and migration.

HCT116 cells were cultured in vitro and treated with EFH.MTT method was used to detect growth of HCT116; Boyden chamber was used to test cell migration; Real-time PCR was conducted to analyze the expression of MMP-9; Flow cytometry was applied to detect cell cycle and apoptosis.

Cell proliferation assay showed EFH significantly inhibited tumor cell growth compared with the control and inhibition effects were dose and time-dependent.Co-culture with tumor cells for 96 hours, EFH showed the strongest inhibitory effects compared with the control and the inhibitory effects of 10mg/mL, 20mg/mL and 30mg/mL of EFH were 25%(P=0.025), 42%(P=0.032)and 67%(P=0.018)respectively.Moreover EFH(10mg/mL)significantly inhibited the migration of tumor cells with inhibitory rate up to 63%(P=0.01). Expression of MMP-9 in tumor cells treated by EFH(8mg/mL and 11mg/mL)was decreased compared to control(2.73+ 0.32 vs 4.8+ 0.36, P=0.028; 1.46+ 0.25 vs 4.8+ 0.36, P=0.004). In addition, EFH blocked cell cycle progression without triggering cell apoptosis.

EFH inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation and migration, and is likely due to down regulation of MMP-9 expression and blockage of cell cycle in S phase.