Effect of Aqua-acupuncture Solution of Medicinal Plants on Induction of Anticarcinogenic Phase II Enzymes

Induction of phase II enzymes such as quinone reductase (QR) or glutathione S-transferase (GST) is considered a major mechanism of protection against initiation of carcingenesis. The induction of detoxification enzymes and glutathione were studied with Lonicerae Flos aqua-acupuncture solution (LFAS), Angelicae gigantis Radix aqua-acupuncture solution (AGRAS), and Gamdutang aqua-acupunture solution (GAS) in murine hepatoma cells grown in microtiter plate wells. LFAS, AGRAS and GAS were potent inducers of QR activity. LFAS was induced about 2.6-fold at concentration of . AGRAS and GAS were also induced about 2.6-, 1.8-fold at concentration of , respectively. In addition, GST activity was increased with LFAS, AGRAS, and GAS. GSH levels were increased about 2-fold with LFAS at concentration of , 1.3-fold with AGRAS at concentration of , and 1.2-fold with GAS at concentration of . These results suggested that LFAS, AGRAS, and GAS may act as blocking agents against carcinogenesis by induction of phase II marker enzymes.