Abstract: BACKGROUND ＆ AIM: To study the effects of GFW on tumor apoptosis and to provide basis for the development of GFW. MATERIALS AND METHODS： Each of the 30 mice received 0.2 ml S180 tumor cell suspension subcutaneously in the right axilla . The mice were randomly divided into model group,GFW group and CP group and with 10 mice in each group.Another 10 mice without cancer were used as control. The model group received intragastric normal saline,0.02 ml/(g·d); the GFW group was given intragastric administration,0.02 ml/(g·d) whilst the CP group received intraperitoneal injection of CP at 20 mg/(kg·d),The medicines were given to the mice in each group after they were inoculated, once a day for 10 days .The mice were sacrificed and the tumor removed. The S180 mice sarcoma model was employed to detect the inhibiting effects of GFW, the flow cytometer was used for determination of apoptosis and the ultrastructural changes assessed by electron microscope.The expression of Survivin mRNA was evaluated by situ hybridization. RESULTS: For S180 sarcoma ,the tumor inhibition by GFW was 38.93％. The apoptosis in GFW group was 17.79％ by flow cytometer. Some typical apoptotic cells and apoptotic bodies were identified through electron microscope. Chromatin gathered on the side of the cell, while the nucleus was condensed. Survivin mRNA was markedly suppressed in the GFW group when compared with the model group. CONCLUSION: GFW induced tumor cell apoptosis, and its mechanism might be closely related with down_regulating the expression of the survivin gene.

Key words: GFW, apoptosis, Survivin mRNA