Objective:To study the effect of allicin on the growth of hepatocellular carcinoma cells and the relevant mechanism.
Methods :(1)The action of allicin on hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 was assayed by MTT. The expression of VEGF mRNA and ICAM-1 mRNA of HepG2 was detected by fluorescent quantitation ploymerase chain reaction(FQ-PCR). (2)Twenty four nude mice bearing subcutaneous xenograft human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC) were randomly divided into 3 groups： the control group, the allicin group I［allcin 1 mg/(kg·d)］ and group II［allcin 10 mg/(kg·d)］. The effect of allicin on the tumor growth was evaluated 4 weeks later,including the tumor volume and weight.
Results:(1)MTT showed allicin inhibited the proliferation of hepatocellular carcinoma cell line HepG2 at the concentration of 10-5 000 μg/L,and high concentration of allicin could kill HepG2 cells（P＜0.01). The expression of VEGF mRNA and ICAM-1 mRNA was down-regulated significantly by allicin（P＜0.01). (2)Tumor volumes of the control group, allicin group I and group II were (1923.44±101.25) mm,(918.43±90.65) mm and (604.28±77.41）mm respectively,（P＜0.01).
Conclusions:Allicin can inhibit the growth of hepatocellsular carcinoma cells in vitro and in vivo,and the mechanism may be related to its inhibition of hepatocellular carcinoma cells proliforation and downregulation of transcription of VEGF mRNA and ICAM-1 mRNA.