Objective: To observe the effect of Zhisheng Capsule on the rat model of esophageal cancer

inducing apoptosis and the impact on Fas

FasL protein expression. Method: Healthy Wistar rats were treated with MANA 5 mg·kg-1 for 18 weeks except normal group.After the last injection

the rats were randomly divided into the following groups:esophageal model group

Zhisheng Capsule high(0.75 g·kg-1)

middle (0.5 g·kg-1)

low (0.25 g·kg-1)dose groups

tegafur group (20 mg·kg-1). TUNEL assay was used to examine the effect of Zhisheng Capsule on apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. Immunohisto-chemistry (IHC) technique was used to measure the expression of Fas and FasL protein in cells. Result: Zhisheng Capsule of three doses could promote apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells according to the result of TUNEL assay. Comparison with model group was significant (P<0.05). High dose group was significantly better than chemotherapy group and low dose group (P<0.05). There showed some dose-effect relationship. Measured with IHC

the expression of Fas protein in the cells dealt with Zhisheng Capsule was increased

whereas the expression of FasL protein was decreased . Conclusion: Zhisheng Capsule could promote apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells. The molecular mechanism of Zhisheng Capsule may be related with up-regulating of Fas and down-regulating the expression of FasL. In addition

the effects of Zhisheng Capsule to promote apoptosis of esophageal cancer cells and Fas

FasL showed some dose-effect relationship. The effect of the capsule was better than tegafur.