Objective:To study whether curcumin inhibits the proliferation and promotes the apoptosis of nephroblastoma through activating the miR-192-5p/PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.Methods:CCK-8 assay was used to investigate the effects of curcumin on the proliferation of nephroblastoma SK-NEP-1 cells and the appropriate concentration. The apoptosis rate of SK-NEP-1 cells was detected by V-FITC/PI. Luciferase reporter assay was used to verify the binding activity between miR-192-5p and PI3K. RT-PCR was performed to detect the expression of miR-192-5p at mRNA level. Western blot was used to detect the expression of PI3K and Akt at protein level.Results:Curcumin could significantly inhibit the proliferation of SK-NEP-1 cells and induce cell apoptosis in a dose-dependent manner. RT-PCR results showed that curcumin could significantly increase the expression of miR-192-5p. In addition, miR-192-5p significantly inhibited cell proliferation, induced cell apoptosis, and enhanced the effects of curcumin on the proliferation and apoptosis of SK-NEP-1 cells. Luciferase reporter assay suggested that miR-192-5p could bind to PI3K. Western blot results showed that curcumin down-regulated the expression of PI3K and Akt at protein level by mediating the expression of miR-192-5p.Conclusions:Curcumin could inhibit the proliferation and induce the apoptosis of nephroblastoma cells through mediating the expression of miR-192-5p and further inhibiting the downstream PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.