Research Article PPTS Inhibits the TGF-β1-Induced Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition in Human Colorectal Cancer SW480 Cells Ling Zhang, 1 Abid Naeem, 1 Shaofeng Wei, 2 Zexie Li, 2 Zhenzhong Zang, 1 Meng Wang, 2 Yali Liu , 1,2 and Dan Su 1 1 Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 818 Meiling Road, Nanchang 330006, China 2 Science and Technology College, Jiangxi University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 818 Meiling Road, Nanchang 330006, China Correspondence should be addressed to Yali Liu; 582685133@qq.com and Dan Su; sud94@aliyun.com Received 2 June 2019; Revised 11 August 2019; Accepted 26 August 2019; Published 22 September 2019 Academic Editor: Simona Martinotti Copyright © 2019 Ling Zhang et al. is is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. e current study investigates the inhibitory effects of Pulsatilla pentacyclic triterpenoid saponins extract (PPTS) on epithelial- mesenchymal transition (EMT) triggered by the transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) in human colorectal cancer SW480 cell line, further illustrates the possible mechanism of PPTS inhibition of growth and invasion from the perspective of EMT, and provides new theoretical support for the treatment of tumor by Chinese medicine. e SW480 cells were treated in groups: blank control, TGF-β1 (10ng/mL), and varying concentrations of PPTS cotreated with TGF-β1-induced (10ng/mL) groups. CCK8 was used to detect cell viability; transwell was applied to detect invasion ability, cell migration ability was also determined, ELISA and RT-qPCR were utilized for the determination of CYP3A, CYP2C9, CYP2C19, N-cadherin, and MMP-9 expression. Flow cytometry detection was applied to detect cell cycle and apoptosis. e results obtained have shown that PPTS can significantly inhibit the invasion and migration of tumors in SW480 cells and can also block the S phase in the cell cycle but may produce cytotoxicity in higher doses. e present research work provides substantial evidence that PPTS has a significant inhibitory effect on TGF-β1-induced EMT in SW480 cells and it also promotes apoptosis. 1. Introduction Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a standout amongst the most occurring tumors worldwide, and lately, it is the most general reason behind malignancy-related deaths in China and the USA [1, 2]. Despite improvements in the diagnostic and therapeutic modalities, the incidence of colorectal cancer is continuously increasing because of poor prognosis in patients having distantly metastasized tumors and also some of the underlying molecular mechanisms of metastasis are not very clear [3, 4]. Historically, metastasized tumors are challenging to treat. us, it is crucial to know the underlying mechanism of colorectal cancer metastasis and treat it [5]. Metastasis and invasion of tumors are the leading causes of death in cancer patients. EMT mediated by TGF-β1 can transform tumor epithelial cells into mesenchymal cells, and the tumor cells are thus invasive and migratory, escaping from a primary tumor, and then metastasize [6–8]. Many of the active ingredients in traditional Chinese medicine have a significant inhibitory effect on TGF-β1-induced EMT. For example, saikosaponin, Patrinia villosa saponins [9], and resveratrol [10] can inhibit EMT transformation by con- trolling the expression of epithelial marker E-cadherin and the interstitial markers N-cadherin and vimentin. erefore, an in-depth study of the role of TGF-β1-regulated EMT in tumor invasion and metastasis can provide a basis for clinical treatment of tumor metastasis. Pulsatilla chinensis Regel is a well-known traditional Chinese medicine, better known for its anti-inflammatory activity, and also listed in Chinese pharmacopeia with “heat- clearing, detoxifying, cooling blood, and stopping dysen- tery” properties [11]. Lately, various studies have revealed that it also possesses anti-umor properties and it can play a crucial part in the treatment of a wide range of tumors [12, 13] and also its mechanism of reducing proliferation of Hindawi Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine Volume 2019, Article ID 2683534, 10 pages https://doi.org/10.1155/2019/2683534