Abstract: The aim of this study was to screen out antitumor compounds from Radix Pulsatillae and to further research their mechanism,so as to lay a foundation for the development of new antitumor drugs.The inhibition effect of Radix Pulsatillae extract (BTWs) on SNU-387 cell were detected by MTT methoed.Apoptosis induced by BTW10 and BTW11 with higher inhibition were detected with the Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining flow cytometry.The effects on expressions of Bax and Bcl-2 of BTW10 and BTW11 were determined with Elisa method.Most of anemosides showed high inhibition on SNU-387.BTW10 and BTW11 of them showed higher inhibition.Their IC₅₀ were 1.633 μg/mL and 3.104 μg/mL,respectively.They can induce apoptosis of SNU-387,promote the expression of Bax,and inhibit the expression of Bcl-2.Hence,it was concluded that BTW10 and BTW11 had higher inhibition on SNU-387.The mechanisms of inhibition were relevant to their promotion of Bax and inhibition of Bcl-2,damaging permeability of mitochondria and inducing apoptosis.

Key words: Radix pulsatillae, human liver cancer cells, apoptosis, MTT, Elisa