ObjectiveThis study aims to study the effects and mechanism of resveratrol on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells through phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (Akt) axis.MethodsHepG2 cells at logarithmic growth stage were treated with different concentrations (0, 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 μmol/L) of resveratrol, respectively. Then the proliferation of HepG2 cells was detected by the CCK8 method and real time cell anaIysis (RTCA) system, the expressions of signal molecules associated with PI3K/Akt axis was detected by the Western blot method, including PI3K p58, phosphorylation protein kinase B (p-Akt), total protein kinase B (t-Akt), and CyclinA2 protein.ResultsResveratrol had a significant inhibitory effect on the growth of HepG2 cells in a time and dosage dependent manner. After 48 h treatment of resveratrol to HepG2 cells, 50.0 μmol/L resveratrol inhibited the growth of HepG2 cells most significantly. Further, the RTCA system studies also found that resveratrol had a time and concentration dependent effect on the reduction of normalized cell index (NCI) in HepG2 cells. Flow cytometry results showed that, apoptosis rates of 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 μmol/L group were higher than that of 0 μmol/L group. Compard with 0 μmol/L group, the expressions of PI3K p85, p-Akt, and CyclinA2 protein in HepG2 cells of 12.5, 25.0, and 50.0 μmol/L resveratrol group was significantly higher (P<0.05), although there was no significant effect of resveratrol on the expression of t-Akt in HepG2 cells (P>0.05).ConclusionsResveratrol might have anti-proliferation effects on HepG2 cells through PI3K p85/Akt signaling axis. This study could provide a novel idea for the treatment to HCC.