Abstract: AIM: To evaluate the effect of 5-FU combined with embelin on the treatment of colorectal cancer.METHODS: The anti-proliferation efficiency of 5-FU combined with embelin was evaluated by MTT assay and colony-forming assay. C26 cells were xenografted in mice to establish the animal model, which were used to evaluate the effect of anti-tumor. The tumor size sere measured every group. HE were used to observe the apoptosis of cancer cells.RESULTS: Both 5-FU and embelin could inhibit the growth of C26 cells compare to saline. The cell viability of C26 cells were 95%, 48%, 69% and 18% after the treatment of saline, 5-FU, embelin and 5-FU+embelin, respectively (P<0.01). Tumor spheroids continued to grow in size and volume in saline 152% of the primary volume. The change ratios of tumor spheroid volumes (%) were nearly 71%, 89% and 33% for 5-FU, embelin and 5-FU+embelin, respectively (P<0.01). The inhibition of colorectal cancer in vivo demonstrated the change ratios of tumor volumes (%) were nearly 179%, 149% and 121% for 5-FU, embelin and 5-FU+embelin, while the saline group was 185%, respectively (P<0.01).CONCLUSION: The 5-FU and embelin can inhibit the growth of colorectal cancer, and the combination of 5-FU and embelin may be a potentially effective treatment for colorectal cancer.

Key words: colorectal cancer, 5-FU, embelin, combination