ABSTRACT
Aim To study the inhibitory effect of volatile components in Oroxyli Semen on liver cancer and its possible mechanisms.Methods H22 bearing mouse model was used,the mice were divided into six groups:blank,model,positive (cytoxan,100 mg · kg-1),low-,mid-,and high-dose (17.5,35,and 70 mg · kg-1) volatile components groups,and then the mice were ig given once daily for consecutive 12 d.Then the tumor growth inhibitory rate,spleen and thymus indexes were calculated;the serum levels of IL-2,IL-6 were determined.HE staining was used to study of the apoptosis of the solid tumor.After treatment of SMMC-7721 cells with 0 ～ 1 g · L-1 of volatile components for 24,48 and 72 h,MTT assay was used to examine the proliferation.TUNEL method was applied to detect cell apoptosis,and RT-PCR method to detect Bax,Bcl-2,caspase-3 mRNA experssion.Results The inhibitory rate of volatile components high-dose on H22 bearing mice was 42.08％.The thymus index and the contents of serum IL-2 and IL-6 of H22 bearing mice were significantly higher than those in model group.Volatile components could significantly inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells,downregulate the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA,and up-regulate the expression of Bax,caspase-3 mRNA.Conclusions The volatile components in Oroxyli Semen have obvious anti-tumor activity in vitro and in vivo,and its mechanism may be related to enhancing immune system and promoting tumor cell apoptosis.