Matrine is a traditional Chinese medicine extraction which can inhibit the proliferation, migration and apoptosis of tumor cells. Cell signal transduction affects the tumor biological behavior and growth condition. Except for the widely research of MAPK, JAK-STAT, NF-κB signal transduction pathways, the latest signaling pathways about matrine are Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway and mTOR signaling pathway. These pathways are mainly activated by the phosphorylated key proteins to alleviate inflammatory reaction and inhibit the growth of tumor cells and tumor biological behaviors. The research of matrine by cell signaling pathways can provide molecular targeted therapy with theoretical basis. The relationship among different signaling pathways related to the anti-tumor effect of matrine is worth studying deeply in the future.