Antitumor Efficacy and Mechanism in Hepatoma H22-Bearing Mice ofBrucea javanicaOil

Abstract

Brucea javanicais a traditional herbal medicine in China, and its antitumor activities are of research interest.Brucea javanicaoil, extracted with ether and refined with 10% ethyl alcohol fromBrucea javanicaseed, was used to treat hepatoma H22-bearing mice in this study. The antitumor effect and probable mechanisms of the extractedBrucea javanicaoil were studied in H22-bearing mice by WBC count, GOT, GPT levels, and western blotting. The H22 tumor inhibition ratio of 0.5, 1, and 1.5 g/kg bwBrucea javanicaoil were 15.64%, 23.87%, and 38.27%.Brucea javanicaoil could inhibit the involution of thymus induced by H22 tumor-bearing, but it could not inhibit the augmentation of spleen and liver.Brucea javanicaoil could decrease the levels of WBC count and GOT and GPT in H22-bearing mice. The protein levels of GAPDH, Akt, TGF-β1, andα-SMA in tumor tissues decreased after being treated withBrucea javanicaoil. Disturbing energy metabolism and neoplastic hyperplasia controlled by Akt and immunoregulation activity were its probable antitumor mechanisms in hepatoma H22-bearing mice.