Abstract: AIM: To study the influence of huanglian, wuzhuyu and huanglian-wuzhuyu pair herb on aberrant crypt foci (ACF) in rat colon.METHODS: DMH (1,2-dimethylhydrazine) was injected subcutaneously to induce ACF in rat colon. According to morphologic criteria, the ACF's frequencies and position were observed after stained with methylene blue, and live dysfunction induced by medicines were evaluated by liver weight index.RESULTS:The numbers of ACF were significantly decreased by huanglian, wuzhuyu and huanglian-wuzhuyu pair herb(P<0.01); herb pair adverse function for liver was better than single herb.CONCLUSION: It is concluded that huanglian, wuzhuyu and huanglian-wuzhuyu pair herb may be potential chemoprevention agents against colorectal cancer; pair herb may have less adverse effect than single herb.

Key words: Huanglian, Wuzhuyu, Huanglian-wuzhuyu pair herb, Aberrant crypt foci, 1,2-dimethylhydrazine