RESUMO
OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the antitumor activity of decoction and study its liver and kidney toxicity and its effect on the immune system in a tumor-bearing mouse model.@*METHODS@#Hepatoma H22 tumor-bearing mouse models were randomized into model group, cyclophosphamide (CTX) group, and low-, moderate-, and high-dose decoction groups (JW-L, JW-M, and JW-H groups, respectively). The antitumor activity of decoction was assessed by calculating the tumor inhibition rate and pathological observation of the tumor tissues. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of Bax, Bcl-2, Bax/Bcl-2 and caspase-3 in the tumors. The liver and kidney toxicity of decoction was analyzed by evaluating the biochemical indicators of liver and kidney functions. The immune function of the tumor-bearing mice were assessed by calculating the immune organ index, testing peripheral blood routines, and detection of serum IL-2 and TNF-α levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.@*RESULTS@#Compared with that in the model group, the tumor mass in CTX, JW-M and JW-H groups were all significantly reduced ( < 0.05) with cell rupture and necrosis in the tumors. Immunohistochemistry revealed obviously up-regulated expressions of Bax and caspase-3 and down- regulated expression of Bcl-2 protein with an increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio in CTX, JW-M and JW-H groups. Treatment with decoction significantly reduced Cr, BUN, AST and ALT levels, improved the immune organ index, increased peripheral blood leukocytes, erythrocytes and hemoglobin levels, and up-regulated the levels of TNF-α and IL-2 in the tumor-bearing mice. These changes were especially significant in JW-H group when compared with the parameters in the model group ( < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@# decoction has a strong anti-tumor activity and can improve the liver and kidney functions of tumor-bearing mice. Its anti-tumor effect may be attributed to the up-regulation of Bax, caspase-3, TNF-α and IL-2 levels and the down-regulation of Bcl-2 expression as well as the enhancement of the non-specific immune function.