Abstract: Objective To investigate the effect of allicin on endometrial cancer-bearing mice and its mechanism. Methods 40 BALB/c nude mice and human endometrial carcinoma cell lines Ishikawa were used to establish endometrial carcinoma bearing mice model. The experiment was divided into model group (M group) and Allicin group A (low dose), B (medium dose) and C (high dose). Allicin groups were given intraperitoneal injection of 10, 20 and 40 mg/kg of allicin dissolved in 2 mL sterile saline respectively. Group M was given 2 mL sterile saline intraperitoneal injection once every other day for 4 weeks. Tumor volume, inhibition rate, pathological changes and apoptotic rate of tumor tissue before and after intervention were compared; TLR4 and MyD88 were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR); TLR4 and MyD88 were detected by Western blot. Results After intervention, there were significant differences in the volume of tumors between each group and every two groups (P < 0.05). The inhibition rate of tumors in group C was the highest, followed by that in group B, and the lowest in group A, with significant differences between each two groups (P < 0.05). There were no abnormalities in the histological structure of tumors in group M. The pathological manifestations of tumors in group A, B and C included cell shrinkage, centralization of nuclear chromatin to the margin and patchy necrosis. The apoptotic rate of tissues was significantly decreased, and the relative expression of TLR4, MyD88 and protein in tumor tissues was decreased. Conclusions Allicin can inhibit the growth of endometrial cancer-bearing mice and promote cell apoptosis.

Key words: Allicin, Endometrial carcinoma, Tumor-bearing mice, Histopathology, Toll-like receptor 4, Medullary differentiation factor 88, Regulation