In vivo antitumor activity by 2′,4′-dihydroxy-6′-methoxy-3′,5′-dimethylchalcone in a solid human carcinoma xenograft model

Previously we have shown that 2', 4'-dihydroxy-6'-methoxy-3', 5'-dimethylchalcone (DMC), which is isolated from the buds of Cleistocalyx operculatus, significantly inhibits the growth of human liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells and is able to induce apoptosis of SMMC-7721 cells in vitro. Here we report the antitumor effects of DMC in vivo, using a solid human tumor xenograft mouse model using human liver cancer SMMC-7721 cells. The average tumor weights in the control group and in mice injected with 150 mg/kg DMC were 1.42 +/- 0.11 g and 0.59 +/- 0.12 g, respectively. Flow cytometric analysis of the tumor cell population demonstrated an aneuploid peak ( representing 33.60 +/- 0.80% of the total in mice injected with 150 mg/ kg DMC). To our knowledge, this is the first time that chalcone compounds have been applied to a human tumor xenograft model.