Abstract: Objective: To determine the effects of emodin on proliferation, migration and apoptosis of the melanoma cell line B16F10. Methods: The proliferation of B16F10 cells was detected by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) after treated with 10，20，40，60 and 80 μmol/L emodin for 24 h. The cell morphology and number were observed under inverted microscope. The scratch healing rate and cell migration ability were detected by cell scratch test and Transwell migration assay. The cell cycle was detected with flow cytometry. The apoptosis of B16F10 cells was detected by TUNEL method. The expression level of casepase-3 was measured by Western blot. Results: Compared with the blank control group, emodin groups with different concentrations (10, 20, 40, 60 and 80 μmol/L) inhibited the proliferation of B16F10 cells and the inhibition rate showed a concentration- and time-dependent manner. The cell cycle was arrested at G2/M phase. The cell apoptosis was observed under microscope. The expression level of caspase-3 in the emodin groups was higher that in the control group. Conclusion: Emodin can effectively inhibit the proliferation and migration of B16F10 cells and induce cell apoptosis.

Key words: emodin, B16F10, proliferation, migration, apoptosis