Abstract: AIM: To investigate the anti-tumor effect of the C21 mono-glucosides sterols and its immunity mechanism.METHODS: The models of Heps tumor transplanted in mice were established.The tumor growth inhibition rate (1R) was calculated, and tumor tissue samples were taken and examined by light microscopy.Spleen and thymus were taken to get spleen index (SI) and thymus index (TI).The phagocytic ability of peritoneal macrophage to neutral red and the amount of NO were detected to reflect holistic cellular immune level.The T and B lymphocyte transformation capacity were tested by MTT assay.The secretion of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) were detected with ABCELISA.RESULTS: After treatment of the C21 steroidal,inhibitory effect on the transplanted Heps was observed in the tuner-bearing mice.The inhibitory rates were 34.79 %, 47.08 % and 50.23 %, respectively.We found the morphology of tumor tissues in C21 groups had typical characters of necrosis under the light microscope. Spleen indices were decreased and thymus indices rose in C21 groups.The C21 steroidal could significantly augment the peritoneal macrophage phagocytic ability.T and B cells proliferation was increased to normal level.IL-2 and TNF-αwere elevated when compared with model group. CONCLUSION: The C21 steroidal could improve the specific and non-specific cellular immunity and promote anti-tumor cytokines secretion.

Key words: mono-glucosides sterols, macrophage, lymphocyte, IL-2, TNF-α