Abstract: To investigate the effects of Ashitaba chalcone (AC) on Caspase-3 and Bax protein expressions in mouse hepatocarcinoma cells. METHODS: Fifty mice inoculated with hepatocarcinoma 22 cells were divided into five groups, 10 mice per group. 5,20,40 mg/kg AC were given daily by mouth to form low, medium and high dose groups, respectively. Normal saline by mouth was given to the tumor control group. 20 mg/kg cytoxan(CTX) by injection every other day were given to the CTX group.10 days later, all mice were sacrificed. The levels of the Caspase-3 and Bax protein expressions were measured by immunohistochemistry, and the proliferation activity of hepatocarcinoma cells was determined by MTT assay. RESULTS: The expressions level of Caspase-3 and Bax protein in tumor control group were 5.00% and 4.68%, respectively, and those of the high-dose group were 38.52% and 35.76%. The differences between two groups were significant (P<0.05). The cell proliferation activity of tumor control group and high-dose group were 1.135±0.032 and 0.716±0.018, respectively. The difference was significant (P<0.05). The rumor weight in AC 20, 40 mg/kg were significantly lower than that in tumor control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: AC could induce the expressions of Caspase-3 and Bax protein.

Key words: Ashitaba chalcone, hepatocarcinoma, Caspase-3, Bax