Objective Matrine, a major ingredient of sophora, has an anti-tumor activity, capable of suppressing the proliferation and metastasis and promoting apoptosis or differentiation of tumor cells. This study was designed to investigate the effects of matrine on survival and apoptosis of nephroblastoma cell line SK-NEP-1, reduction of drugresistance of cisplatin and the mechanism(s) underlying these effects. Methods SK-NEP-1 cells were treated with matrine and cisplatin at various doses (0.5, 1.0 and 1.5 mg/mL), either each alone or in combination. The viability in treated SK-NEP-1 cells was assessed by MTT colorimetric assay, apoptosis by flow cytometry, and PDCD4 mRNA abundance by RT-PCR. Results As compared with the non-treatment control, matrine and cisplation, regardless of combination and dosage, significantly reduced the viability (P<0.01), induced apoptosis (P<0.01), and increased PDCD4 mRNA abundance (P<0.01), in SK-NEP-1 cells. The above effects of matrine and cisplation were dose-dependent when they were used alone, and were more pronounced when they were used in combination (P<0.05). Conclusions Matrine can significantly induce apoptosis and inhibit growth of SK-NEP-1 cells in a dose-dependent manner, thus increasing the chemotherapeutic sensibility of cisplatin. The observed effects of matrine may be a result of increased PDCD4 expressi on.