title: Effects of herbal medicine on human uterine tumor-bearing nude mice.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Uterine leiomyomas are the most common benign uterine neoplasms associated with significant morbidity. Herbal formulas capable of restoring yin-yang balance by dispersing blood stasis may be useful for managing fibroid symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the antitumor properties of three herbsviz.,Trogopterus xanthipesMilen-Edwards,Paeonia lactifloraPallas, andUlmus davidianaPlanch were evaluated in nude mice injected intravenously with human malignant myomas. Tumor fragments were xenografted subcutaneously through a flank incision in female mice. The mice entered the study for 8 weeks when their tumors reached the threshold volume (260 mm3). The mice were randomly allocated to receive subcutaneous injections of normal saline (Group 1; negative control),P. lactifloraPallas (Group 2),U. davidianaPlanch (Group 3),T. xanthipesMilen-Edwards (Group 4), and intravenous injections of paclitaxel (Group 5; positive control). The weight and tumor volume were measured, followed by histopathology.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A few cases of abdominal distention and death were observed in the negative control group. Furthermore, a considerable enlargement of the liver and spleen was observed in the negative control group at autopsy with a gradual increase in body weight during the experiment. The mean tumor volume which increased in negative control mice reduced in mice treated with herbal remedies or paclitaxel from day 14 onwards (P< 0.05). The degree of necrosis and apoptosis induction from herbal treatments was similar to that of paclitaxel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Collectively, three herbsviz.,T. xanthipesMilen-Edwards,P. lactifloraPallas, andU. davidianaPlanch were able to induce necrosis and apoptosis of uterine leiomyoma cells, proving antitumor properties against uterine fibroids.
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Mi Hyang
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Ohh
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Development Center, Milae Resources ML. Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Seong Jin
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Research and Development Center, Milae Resources ML. Co., Ltd., Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jong Kwon
authors.initials: JK
authors.lastname: Han
authors.affiliation: School of Biomedical Sciences, Charles Sturt University, Bathurst, NSW 2795, Australia.
authors.forename: Sok Cheon
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Pak
authors.affiliation: Department of Life and Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Korea University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Kew-Mahn
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Chee
keywords: Leiomyomas; Paeonia lactiflora Pallas; Trogopterus xanthipes Milen-Edwards; Ulmus davidiana Planch; tumor