Abstract: AIM: To observe the enhancement of ginsen-stem-leaves (GSL) to the antitumor effect of 5-FU in mice inoculated S180. METHODS: The different combinations of GSL and 5-FU were used to examine the inhibition rates of tumor growth in KM mice inoculated S180. RESULTS: The combination of GSL ( 15 mg·kg^-1) and 5-FU ( 1. 5 mg·kg^-1) obtained 26. 90 % of inhibition rates of tumor growth ( P <0. 05), and did not inhibit the thymus. The antitumor rate of 5-FU ( 25 mg·kg^-1) was 36. 61 %, and the dose markedly decreased the weight of thymus. CONCLUSION: The combination of GSL ( 15 mg·kg^-1) and 5-FU ( 1. 5mg·kg^-1) can markedly inhibit the tumor growth of S180 inmice, but does not decrease the weight of thymus, suggesting that the combination may decrease the side effect produced by 5-FU.

Key words: ginsen-stem-leaves ( GSL ), 5-FU, S180, antitumor effect