Objective: To investigate the effect of combination of Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and Genkwa Flos with different proportions in resisting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) ascites in mice.Method: A total of 135 male Kunming mice were randomly divided into normal control group

model group

Genkwa Flos and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma combination groups(ratios of 1:0.25

1:0.5

1:1

1:2

1:4)

pure Genkwa Flos group and pure Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group. HCC ascites model was established by inoculating H22 cells intraperitoneally in all groups except for the normal group. HCC ascites mice in drug-treatment groups were intragastrically administrated with the corresponding drugs

while the normal and model groups were given the equal volume of normal saline. At 12 d

ascites amount

abdominal girth

weight

and liver and kidney indicators were measured respectively. Expressions of aquaporin-2 (AQP2) and renal vasopressin receptors-2 (V2R) in the kidney tissues were detected by Western blot. Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

aspartate aminotransferase (AST)

blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine (Cr) were determined by the biochemistry analyzer.Result: The model group showed significant higher weight

abdominal girth

ascites

liver index

ALT

AST

BUN

Cr and lower kidney index than normal control group (P<0.01)

with notable rise in AQP2 and V2R protein expressions. Compared with the normal group

the pure Genkwa Flos group and Genkwa Flos and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma groups showed significant reduction in weight

abdominal girth

ascites and expressions of aquaporin-2 and renal vasopressin receptors-2 in the kidney tissues (P<0.05). Genkwa Flos and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group (1:1) also showed dramatic increases in weight

abdominal girth

ascites and expressions of aquaporin-2 and renal vasopressin receptors-2 in the kidney tissues (P<0.05).Conclusion: The combination of Genkwa Flos and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma with different proportions could increase or decrease the effect of Genkwa Flos in resisting HCC ascites in mice. The underlying mechanism might be correlated with the effective regulation of aquaporin-2 and renal vasopressin receptors-2 protein expression.