Inhibition of Allicin on Growth of Neuroblastoma in Vitro and in Vivo

【Objective】 To investigate the efficacy and the possible mechanism of neuroblastoma induced by allicin. 【Methods】 MTT assay was used to test the effect of allicin on the growth of human neuroblastoma cell lines SK-N-SH. Twenty four nude mice bearing subcutaneous xenograft human neuroblastoma (NB) were randomly divided into 3 groups: the control group, the allicin group Ⅰ (allicin 1 mg / kg / d) and group Ⅱ (allicin 10 mg / kg / d). The role of allicin on the growth of the tumor was evaluated after 4 weeks, including the tumor volume and weight. The expression of VEGF mRNA was detected by fluorescent quantitation ploymerase chain reaction (FQ-PCR). The serum VEGF concentration was measured by ELISA. The expression of MVD was analyzed with immunocytochemistry. 【Results】 Allicin inhibited the growth of NB in vitro and in vivo. The volume of tumor: the control group (2143 ± 127) mm3, allicin group I (1041 ± 89) mm3 and allicin group II (904 ± 65) mm3 (P 0.05). The expression of VEGFmRNA and serum VEGF concentration was inhibited significantly by allicin. The expression of VEGF mRNA in the control group, the allicin group I and allicin group II was (8.4 ± 0.8), (6.1 ± 0.7), and (5.1 ± 0.5)(P 0.05). The serum VEGF concentration in the control group, the allicin group I and allicin group II was (78 ± 10), (45 ± 8) and (35 ± 7) pg / mL (P 0.05). Allicin inhibit the expression of MVD of NB (P 0.05). 【Conclusion】 Allicin can inhibit the growth of NB in vitro and in vivo, which may be caused by suppression the expression of VEGF and MVD.