Positive Health Online

Abstract

NIWA and colleagues, Department of Obstetrics, Gifu University School of Medicine, Japan. Kniwa@cc.gifu-u.ac.jp studied, in mice, the effects of Glycyrrhizae radix (G1 radix) upon endometrial cancer .

Background

Methodology

Levels of mRNA and oncoproteins induced by oestrodiol-17 beta (E2) were assayed by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blot analysis and immunohistochemical methods. For long-term assays, 98 female mice were given N-methyl-N-nitrosourea (MNU) (1 mg100 g body wt) and normal saline (as controls) into left and right uterine corpora. They were divided into 4 groups: 1) 0.625% G1 radix- and 5 ppm E2-containing diet; 2) 5 ppm E2-containing diet; 3) 0.625) G1 radix-containing diet; and 4) basal diet alone.

Results

2 weeks of G1 radix treatments decreased levels of c-fos/jun mRNA and corresponding oncoproteins induced by E2. G1 radix treatment significantly decreased uterine weights and incidences of uterine endometrial atypical hyperplastic and malignant lesions .

Conclusion

G1 radix possesses inhibitory effects upon E2-related endometrial cancer in mice, mediated the suppression of oestrogen-induced expression of c-fos/jun genes .

References

Niwa K et al. Preventive effects of Glycyrrhizae radix extract on estrogen-related endometrial carcinogenesis in mice. Japanese Journal of Cancer Research 90(7): 726-32. Jul 1999.