Objective      To investigate the effect of resveratrol (Res) on inhibiting proliferation of colon cancer cells and explore the possible mechanism.       Methods      The inhibitory effect of Res on proliferation of HCT116 colon cancer cells was measured by crystal violet staining

flow cytometry and Western blotting. Then

the apoptosis was detected by immunofluorescence assay and flow cytometry. The expression of Akt1/2 and PTEN and the phosphorylation of Akt1/2 in H

CT116 cells was analyzed by RT-PCR and Western blotting. Finally

the effect of PTEN on the proliferation inhibition effect of Res was evaluated by recombinant adenovirus for PTEN over-expression or knockdown in HCT116 cells.       Results      Res inhibited the proliferation of HCT116 cells in a concentration-dependent manner (P0.05 and P0.01)

arrested the cell cycle at G

1

phase

down-regulated the protein level of PCNA

and promoted the apoptosis of HCT116 cells. PCR and Western blot results indicated that Res had no significant effect on the mRNA expression of Akt1/2

but could decrease the phosphorylation of Akt1/2. Res could increase the expression of PTEN in mRNA and protein levels. Over-expression of PTEN could potentiate the proliferation inhibition effect of Res in HCT116 cells (P0.01)

but the knockdown of PTEN can reverse this effect partly (P0.01).       Conclusion      Res can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of HCT116 cells

and this effect may be mediated by up-regulating the expression of PTEN to inhibit the PI3K/Akt signal transduction.