Abstract: This study aims to explore the effect of berberine on the proliferation of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells and to explain the molecular mechanism of berberine promoting apoptosis in breast cancer cells.During the experiment,MTT was used to detect the inhibitory effect of berberine on the proliferation of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells.Then,Annexin-V/PI staining was used to quantitatively investigate the effect of berberine on tumor cell apoptosis.Finally,Western Blot assay was used to detect tumor-associated pathway protein expression for study.The results showed that berberine inhibited the proliferation of breast cancer MDA-MB-231 cells,which increased the expression of autophagy factor Beclin 1 in the cells.Further,the formation of autophagic vacuoles was induced,resulting in apoptosis of tumor cells.In summary,berberine exerted anti-tumor effects by inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells by inhibiting the AKT-mTOR pathway.

Key words: berberine, breast cancer, antitumor, autophagy, AKT-mTOR pathway