Objective To explore the potential mechanism of Qige Fang (启膈方) in treating esophageal carcinoma.Methods Human esophageal cancer cells Eca109 and TE13 were used and divided into the control group,the high-dose Qige group and the low-dose Qige group.MTT method was used to observe the effect of Qige Fang on the proliferation of esophageal cancer cells;Transwell chamber method was used to detect the effect of Qige Fang on the migration of esophageal cancer cells;the effect of Qige Fang on the expression of connexin 26 (Cx26) in esophageal cancer cells was observed by laser confocal microscopy and flow cytometry;the effect of Qige Fang on the expression of Cx26 mRNA in esophageal cancer cells was observed by RT q-PCR.Results The normal dose of Qige Fang cannot inhibit the proliferation of Eca109 and TE13 cells in vitro.The number of Eca109 migrating cells in the high dose group was significantly lower than that in the control group and the low dose group (P ＜ 0.01).The numbers of TE13 migrating cells in the high and low dose groups were significantly lower than that in the control group,and that in the high dose group was significantly lower than that in the low dose group (P ＜0.05 or P ＜0.01).The expressions of Cx26 protein and mRNA in esophageal cancer cells Eca109 and TE13 significantly increased after the administration of Qige Fang (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Qige Fang can inhibit the proliferation and migration of human esophageal cancer cells Eca109 and TE13,and can enhance the expression of Cx26 at protein level and transcription level,and increase the gap junction of esophageal cancer ells,thus inhibiting cell migration.This might be part of the mechanism of Qiga Fang in treating esophageal carcinoma.