Objective: To investigate the cytotoxic effects of apigenin from Mallotus apelta. on proliferation and apoptosis in nude mice bearing human gastric carcinoma. Method: The model of nude mice bearing developed xenografts of the SGC-7901 cell line was established

and mice were administered with apigenin at dose of 600

300

150 mg·kg-1 by oral and 5-FU at dose of 20 mg·kg-1 by intraperitoneal injection (ip) respectively for 11 days. The weights of the tumor and inhibitory rate of tumor of the nude mice were observed. The morphological changes of apoptosis were observed by transillumination electron microscope. Result: In tumor bearing mice

apigenin at dose of 600

300 mg·kg-1 and 5-FU could clearly prevented tumor growth in nude mice.The inhibitory rates were 31.78% (P<0.01) and 25.66% (P<0.05) and 49.03% (P<0.01). The nude mice treated with apigenin showed significant morphological changes in different apoptotic phases. Conclusion: The apigenin from M. apelta has obvious antitumor effects and the mechanism may be related to inhibited proliferation and induction of apoptosis in cancer cells.