OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effect of fermented extract of Kushen(Radix Sophorae Flavescentis) or non-fermented ESF on laryngeal neoplasms Hep2 cells.METHODS:Use 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide(MTT) assay to explore the effect of fermented ESF and non-fermented ESF on Hep2 cells,and detect the mRNA and protein expression level of Bcl-2,Bax and Caspase-3 with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) andWestern blot.RESULTS:Both fermented ESF and non-fermented ESF could inhibit laryngeal neoplasm's Hep2 cells,but and the cells did not response to the dilution 1:320 of fermented ESF,nor to the 1:1280 dilution of non-fermented ESF.As time progressed,the dilution 1:80 of fermented ESF and 1:320 dilution of non-fermented ESF could significantly reduce Bcl-2 mRNA and protein expression and down-regulate Caspase-3 mRNA and protein expression.Bax mRNA and protein were not expressed in Hep2 cells.CONCLUSIONS:Both fermented ESF and non-fermented ESF could inhibit the proliferation of Hep2 cells,and the effect of non-fermented ESF was significantly better than that of the fermented.