Objective To investigate the possible mechanism of Jiedu Sangen Decoction（ 解毒三根汤） against colon cancer invasion and metastasis. Methods Protein kinase B（ AKT） knockdown and corresponding negative cell stable strains were successfully established in colon cancer SW480 cells. The experiment was divided into a negative control group

a negative Sangen Decoction group

a AKT knockdown control group

and a AKT knockdown Sangen Decoction group. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition（ EMT） model was established by inducing epidermal growth factor at a final concentration of 50 ng/ml for 48 h. The 6 g/L Jiedu Sangen Decoction was used to intervene in the negative Sangen Decoction group and the AKT knockdown Jiedu Sangen Decoction group for 48 h. The invasion and metastasis ability of cells was observed by scratch test

Transwell migration and invasion assay. EMT-related markers（ E-cadherin

N-cadherin

Vimentin

Occludin

Twist

Slug

Snail

ZEB1） and protein kinase B/glycogen synthase kinase 3β（ AKT/GSK-3β） signaling pathway-associated protein expression were detected by Western blot. Results Compared with the negative control group

the migration distances of the other 3 groups were shortened at 12 h and 24 h

and the number of migration and invasion of membrane cells decreased（ P < 0. 05）. Compared with the AKT knockdown control group

the migration distance was shortened at 12 h and 24 h in AKT knockdown Sangen Decoction group

and the number of migration and invasion of membrane cells was decreased（ P < 0. 05）. Compared with the negative control group

the E-cadherin and Occludin was up-regulated

and N-cadherin

Vimentin

Slug

Twist

Snail

ZEB1

AKT and GSK-3β were down-regulated in the other 3 groups（ P < 0. 05）. Compared with the AKT knockdown control group

E-cadherin and Occludin were up-regulated

N-cadherin

Vimentin

Snail

Slug

Twist

ZEB1

AKT and GSK-3β were down-regulated in the AKT knockdown Sangen Decoction group（ P < 0. 05）.Conclusion Jiedu Sangen Decoction may reverse the EMT of colon cancer cells through AKT/GSK-3β signaling pathway

thus resisting colon cancer invasion and metastasis.