Abstract: To explore the effects of icariin on cell proliferation,apoptosis and migration of mouse melanoma B16 cells.After treatment with different concentrations of icariin,B16 cell proliferation inhibition rate was detected by MTT assay.The morphologic changes in B16 cells was observed after Hoechst 33258 staining.Cell apoptosis was evaluated by Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining.The protein levels of Bax,Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in icariin-treated B16 cells were examined by western blot.Moreover,cell migration activity of icariin-treated B16 cells was examined by scratch wound assay and transwell migration assay.Compared with the control group,icariin significantly inhibited the proliferation of B16 cells in a concentration manner.Morphological changes including chromatic agglutination and nuclear fragmentation were observed in icariin-treated B16 cells.Meanwhile,the apoptosis rate of B16 cells was remarkably increased after icariin treatment.Western blot analysis showed that icariin up-regulated the protein levels of Bax and Caspase-3 and down-regulated the Bcl-2 protein level.In addition,icariin inhibited the migration of B16 cells in a concentration-dependent manner.Therefore,icariin can effectively inhibit cell proliferation,induce cell apoptosis and inhibit cell migration in B16 cells.

Key words: icariin, B16 cells, proliferation, migration, apoptosis