Immunological Mechanisms of Nobiletin,a Citrus Polymethoxy Flavonoid in Inhibiting Hepatocarcinoma Proliferation / 中药新药与临床药理

ABSTRACT

Objective To investigate the effect of nobiletin,a citrus polymethoxy flavonoid,on hepatocarcinoma Heps in mice and to explore its immunological mechanism.Methods Mice tumor models were made by transplantation of Heps hepatocarcinoma cell strain.The tumor mass was weighed to calculate the tumor-inhibitory rates.The whole cellular immunity was observed by delayed type hypersensitivity(DTH).MTT assay was used to detect the proliferation of T and B lymphocyte,and the activities of cytotoxic T lymphocytes(CTL) and natural killing cells(NKC) were measured by lactate dehydrogenase(LDH) releasing method.Results Nobiletin could markedly inhibit the growth of hepatocarcinoma Heps(solid tumor).The decreased DTH in hepatocaricinoma mice was enhanced significantly,and T and B lymphocyte proliferation were increased by nobiletin.Meanwhile,the killing activities of CTL and NKC were promoted obviously.Conclusion Improvement of the immune function may be a vital route of nobiletin in inhibiting the proliferation of hepatocarcinoma Heps in mice.