OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Buqi Tongluo Jiedu Recipe (BTJR) on HIC1 methylation of pancreatic cancer mouse model.

METHODSTotally 30 nude mice were randomly divided into the normal group, the model group, and the treatment group, 10 in each group. The model was induced by cancer cell subcutaneous planting method. Mice in the treatment group were administered with BTJR (60 g crude drugs/kg, 3 mL/100 g) by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was given to those in the normal group and the model group by gastrogavage. All the intervention lasted for 14 successive days. The mice were sacrificed to death. Their tumor tissues were taken out. The HIC1 gene methylation level of each specimen was detected by nested methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction (N-MSP) method.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, the HIC1 gene methylation level was lower in the treatment group (P < 0.01). Compared with the model, the HIC1 gene methylation level was even lower in the normal group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBTJR could reduce HIC1 gene methylation degree of model mice, thus playing a role of molecular biologic effect in treating pancreatic cancer.