ABSTRACT
Objective: To investigate the effect of Lianhua Shenjia Formula (this formula is extracted from the effective components of four traditional Chinese medicines: phillygenin, trichosanthin, codonopsis pilosulaglycoprotein and triterpenes compound of Cortex Periplocae) on β-catenin protein expression during the process of esophageal precancerous changes in C57BL/6 mice induced by 4-nitro quinoline1-oxide (4NQO), and to explore the possible mechanism of this formula inhibiting precancerous changes in esophagus. Methods: The expressions of β-catenin protein in different-stage esophageal precancerous lesion tissues in mice induced by 4NQO and before and after Lianhua Shenjia Formula treatment were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results: The abnormal expression rate of β-catenin protein in esophageal squamous cells was increased over time in 4NQO control group, and this rate reached 62.5% (10/16) in the 24th week, which was significantly higher than that in the normal control group (P < 0.01). The abnormal expression rates of β-catenin protein in Lianhua Shenjia Formula treatment group and all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) treatment group were both decreased as compared with that of 4NQO control group (P < 0.01); however, there was no significant difference between Lianhua Shenjia Formula treatment group and ATRA treatment group. Conclusion: The Lianhua Shenjia Formula can inhibit the accumulation of β-catenin protein, and this may be one of the mechanisms of Lianhua Shenjia Formula inhibiting the development and progression of esophageal carcinoma.