Abstract: AIM: To study the effect of Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg flavone (TDGF)on inducing SGC-7901 tumor cell apoptosis and to approach its mechanism.Methods: MTT assay was carried out to evaluate TDGF's activity;cell morphology change was monitored through optical microscope and electron microscope; cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry with Annexin Ⅴ PI staining assay;the concentration of MMP-2 protein in the supernatant of tumor cell culture was also measured by zymography essay.Results: Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg flavone inhibited SGC-7901 cell proliferation in a concentration-related manner, and SGC-7901 cells had the characteristic changes of apoptosis in morphology.Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg flavone could also down-regulate the concentration of MMP-2.Conclusion: Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg flavone promotes tumor cell apoptosis significantly, which may be related to down-regulating the expression of MMP-2.So TDGF is a new promising anti-tumor TCM drug.

Key words: Tetrastigma hemsleyanum Diels et Gilg flavone, tumor, apoptosis, matrix metalloproteinase-2