Effects of Allicin on Nude Rat Model of Endometrial Carcinoma Through ERK1/2 Signaling Pathway

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of allicin on the nude rat model of endometrial carcinoma (EC) and its mechanism. STUDY DESIGN: The nude rat model of subcutaneous EC was established successfully. Then 60 tumor rats were divided into model group, high-dose allicin group, middle-dose allicin group, and low-dose allicin group. The tumor tissues were isolated, and the tumor weight was measured. Then the paraffin sections were prepared and the morphological changes in tumor tissues were detected via hematoxylin-eosin staining. The ribonucleic acid (RNA) was extracted from tissues, and the mRNA levels of related factors were determined using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). The apoptosis of tumor tissues was detected via terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) assay. Finally, the protein expressions of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2 and p-ERK1/2 were determined through western blotting. RESULTS: Compared with those in the model group, the tumor weight significantly declined (p<0.05), obvious apoptosis of tumor tissues occurred (p<0.05), and the protein expression of p-ERK1/2 in tumor tissues declined in the high-dose allicin and middle-dose allicin groups (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Allicin inhibits the growth of subcutaneous EC and promotes the apoptosis of tumor cells in nude rats through suppressing the ERK1/2 signaling pathway.