INHIBITION OF EARLY 3-METHYL-4-DIMETHYLAMINOAZOBENZENE-INDUCED HEPATOCARCINOGENESIS BY GOMISIN-A IN RATS

The effects of gomisin A, a lignan component of Schizandra fruits, on hepatocarcinogenesis caused by 3'-methyl-4-dimethylaminoazobenzene (3' -MeDAB) in male Donryu rats were investigated. Gomisin A significantly inhibited the appearance of foci stained for glutathione S-transferas e placental form (GST-P) in the liver of rats given, feed with 0.06% 3 '-MeDAB. Gomisin A (30 mg/kg/daily, po) decreased the concentration of 3'-MeDAB-related azo dyes in the liver, and increased their excretion in the bile. The ratio of diploid to tetraploid nuclei increased duri ng ingestion of 3'-MeDAB, but gomisin A delayed the increase. After th e withdrawal of 3'-MeDAB, carcinogen-related azo dyes were not detecte d in the liver or bile, but the proportion of diploid nuclei remained high, although it decreased with a 0.03% gomisin A diet. The results s uggested that the effects of gomisin A ape related to, improved liver function and reversal of abnormal ploidization.