Objective To explore the molecular mechanism of Camellia japonica flower extract in inhibiting the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cell line SW1088 through regulating the expression of miR-526b-3p and inhibiting phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase (PI3K) / protein kinase B (AKT) signaling pathway. Methods ogarithmic SW1088 cells were collected and treated with 30, 60 and 120 mg/L camellia japonica flower extract. The cells were classified as low-dose group, medium-dose group and high-dose group, and normal culture SW1088 cells were used as control group. SW1088 cells were divided into miR-NC group, miR-526b-3p group, anti-miR-NC+high-dose group and anti-miR-526b-3p+high-dose group. MTT, Transwell and Western blot were used to detect cell proliferation activity, migration and invasion, respectively. The protein expression levels of CyclinD1, matrix metalloproteinases 2 (MMP2), matrix metalloproteinases 9 (MMP9), phosphorylated PI3K (p-PI3K), and phosphorylated AKT (p-AKT) were measured. qRT-PCR was used to detect the relative expression of miR-526b-3p. Results Camellia japonica flower extract or overexpression of miR-526b-3p could reduce the proliferation activity of glioma cells SW1088, and reduce the number of cell migration and invasion, as well as the protein levels of CyclinD1, MMP2 and MMP9, and increase the relative expression level of miR-526b-3p. In addition, the levels of p-PI3K and p-AKT protein in SW1088 cells were decreased in the high-dose group. Inhibition of miR-526b-3p could weaken the effects of camellia japonica flower extract on proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cells SW1088 and PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Conclusion Camellia japonica flower extract may inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of glioma cell line SW1088 by regulating miR-526b-3p/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway