LONG-TERM ADMINISTRATION OF SHO-SAIKO-TO INCREASES CYTOCHROME-P-450 MESSENGER-RNA LEVEL IN MOUSE-LIVER

Simplified differential display of mRNA was applied to isolate and ide ntify genes transcriptionally regulated in mouse liver by sho-saiko-to administration. A cDNA fragment up-regulated by sho-saiko-to was isol ated and characterized, cDNA sequencing and subsequent database analys is revealed that the fragment showed significant sequence similarity w ith mouse testosterone 16-alpha-hydroxylase (cytochrome P-450(16 alpha )) cDNA. The increased level of mRNA expression of cytochrome P-450(16 alpha) in association with sho-saiko-to administration suggests the m olecular mechanism of the chemopreventive effect of sho-saiko-to. This result indicates the usefulness of the mRNA differential display tech nique to investigate the molecular mechanism of Kampo medicine.