Abstract: OBJECTIVE: To study the anti-liver cancer effect of phenylethanol glycosides from cistanche (CPhGs) in mice. METHODS: H22 tumor-bearing mice were established by using axillary subcutaneous injections. Six groups of 10 mice were used in our study:the experiment established blank control group,H22 tumor-bearing model group,Ganfule positive treatment group (1 351.5 mg/kg),and CPhGs high,medium and low dose groups (500,250,125 mg/kg). In addition to the blank control and the model groups,the rest of them were given Ganfule or CPhGs by gavage for 10 consecutive days. During the period,conditions of these mice were monitored,and the tumor growth of H22 tumor-bearing mice was observed. At the end of the experiment,blood was collected from the eyeball,and serum interleukin-2 (IL-2),tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and α-fetoprotein (AFP) content were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Biological samples were collected to calculate the spleen,liver coefficient and inhibition rate. HE staining was conducted to observe pathological histologic changes. RESULTS: The axillary tumor in the model group grew early and grew the fastest,followed by the CPhGs low and medium dose groups. The tumor growth of the high dose group and the positive treatment group were slower. Compared with the model group,the quality of tumor in the CPhGs medium and high dose groups was significantly reduced,and the inhibition rate of each dose group was increased with increasing doses of CPhGs (P < 0.05). The spleen coefficient of the positive treatment group and each CPhGs dose group were significantly increased,and liver coefficient were obviously decreased (P < 0.05). Among the high dose and positive treatment groups,IL-2 contents were significantly elevated (P < 0.05). Each CPhGs dose group and positive treatment group,TNF-α contents were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Among CPhGs medium,high dose and positive treatment groups,AFP content were significantly reduced (P < 0.05). Pathological results show that the tumor cells in each CPhGs dose group were suppressed with reduced numbers,the heterogeneity was reduced,and there were large numbers of necrotic cells. CONCLUSION: CPhGs exposure reduced liver injury of H22 tumor-bearing mice,adversely affected tumor growth which was probably related to reduce AFP levels in serum of tumor-bearing mice,and improved immune function of tumor-bearing mice.

Key words: cistanche, phenylethanol glycosides from cistanche, H22 cells, liver cancer