Abstract: Objective To study the anti-tumor effects of alcohol extraction of Coix stalk objects on H22 tumor-bearing mice. Methods The animal model of tumor bearing mice with H22 ascitic tumor cells was established. Eighty-four model mice were randomly and equally divided into Coix stalk extract groups 1-5 (10, 8, 6, 4 and 2 g/kg), model control group and cyclophosphamide group. Mice were treated orally with Coix stalk alcohol extraction solution (10, 8, 6, 4 and 2 g/kg), cyclophosphamide 0.02 g/kg
and normal saline once a day for 8 days for Coix stalk extract group, cyclophosphamide group and model control group. The mouse activity, the size and the appearance of time of abdominal swelling, and changes of hair, feeding and drinking water quantity were observed in groups of mice. The solid tumor mass was measured in H22 tumor-bearing mice. The tumor inhibitory rate, liver index, spleen index and thymus index were calculated. Results The axillary tumor muster was found first in model control group with the fastest growth, reduced independent activity, decreased appetite and dim in hair color, followed by the Coix stalk extract group 1 and group 2. The last was Coix stalk extract group 5 and cyclophosphamide group. The solid tumor mass were (0.47±0.18), (0.37±0.13), (0.34±0.10), (0.30±0.11) and (0.28±0.09) mg for Coix stalk alcohol extract groups 1-5, which were significantly lower than those of model control group (0.60 mg±0.21 mg, F=5.700， P＜0.05). The tumor inhibition rates were 21.67%, 38.33%, 43.33%, 50.00%, 53.33% and 60.00% in Coix stalk extract groups 1-5 and cyclophosphamide group. The liver index, spleen index and thymus index were lower in cyclophosphamide group and Coix stalk alcohol extract groups than those of model control group (except for the spleen index of Coix stalk extract group 1). The liver index was lower in Coix stalk ethanol extract groups than that of cyclophosphamide group. There were no significant differences in the spleen index, thymus index between Coix stalk ethanol extract groups and cyclophosphamide group. Conclusion Coix stalk alcohol extract has inhibitory effects on the tumor and liver damage in H22 mice.

Key words: Antineoplastic Drugs (TCD, COIX LACRYMA-JOBI L, Coix stalk, alcohol extract, H22, anti tumor in vivo,  cyclophosphamide