Objective:To investigate the effects and mechanisms of glycyrrhetinic acid(GA)on the proliferation,migration,invasion,and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)of hepatocellular carcinoma SMMC-7721 cells by regulating the β-catenin/transcription factor 4(TCF4)signaling pathway.Methods:HCC cells SMMC-7721 were randomly separated into the control,L-GA,M-GA,H-GA groups(50,100,200 μmol/L GA)and the GA+LiCl group(200 μmol/L GA+40 μmol/L β-catenin activator LiCl).The effects of GA on the proliferation,migration,invasion and apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells were detected by plate cloning,Transwell experiment and flow cytometry.WB was applied to detect the effects of GA on the expressions of β-catenin/TCF4 signaling pathway proteins(β-catenin、TCF4)and EMT(E-cadherin,vimentin)-related proteins in SMMC-7721 cells.The model of SMMC-7721 cell transplanted tumor in nude mice was established to observe the effects of GA on the growth of transplanted tumor and the expressions of β-catenin and TCF4 proteins.Results:Compared with the control group,SMMC-7721 cell clonal number,migration and invasion numbers,β-catenin,TCF4 and vmentin protein expressions in the L-GA,M-GA and H-GA groups decreased significantly(all P<0.05),while the apoptosis rate and the expression of E-cadherin protein increased(all P<0.05).Compared with the H-GA group,the numbers of clones,migration and invasion,β-catenin,TCF4 and vimentin protein expressions in the GA+LiCl group increased significantly(all P<0.05),while the apoptosis rate and E-cadherin protein expression decreased significantly(all P<0.05).Tumor-bearing nude mouse model experiment showed that the tumor weight and volume and the positive rates of β-catenin and TCF4 proteins in the GA group were significantly lower than those in the control group(all P<0.05).Conclusion:GA can significantly inhibit the proliferation,migration,invasion,and the EMT process of SMMC-7721 cells,thereby inhibiting the progression of HCC.Its mechanism may be achieved by inhibiting the β-catenin/TCF4 signaling pathway.

Objective To observe the anti-tumor action of Chang'aishu and its influence on the expression of the Ki67 and PCNA. Methods Forty Balb/c mice with CT-26 colorectal cancer were randomly divided into four groups, including the control group (normal saline, 0.6 mL), the chemotherapy group (Xeloda 205.5 mg/kg), the high dose group (Chang'aishu 51.38 g/kg) and the low dose group (Chang'aishu 17.13 g/kg). Each group of mice was treated with intragastric administration every two days. After 15 days, the anti-tumor rate was calculated and the expression of Ki67 and PCNA were analyzed by immunohistochemistry. Results Compared with the control group, inhibitive rate of the chemotherapy group, the high dose group and the low dose group was 43.35%, 29.48% and 13.30%, respectively. Compared with the control group, the treatment group showed statistical significant difference in Ki67 and PCNA (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion Chang'aishu had inhibition effect on the growth of colorectal cancer, which may be related to down-regulating the expression of Ki67 and PCNA.