Effects of rosmarinic acid on immunoregulatory activity and hepatocellular carcinoma cell apoptosis in H22 tumor-bearing mice

Rosmarinic acid (RA) is a natural polyphenolic compound that exists in many medicinal species of and . The previous studies have revealed that RA had therapeutic effects on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in the -xenograft models by inhibiting the inflammatory cytokines and NF-κB p65 pathway in the tumor microenvironment. However, its molecular mechanisms of immunoregulation and pro-apoptotic effect in HCC have not been fully explored. In the present study, RA at 75, 150, and 300 mg/kg was given to tumor-bearing mice via gavage once a day for 10 days. The results showed that RA can effectively inhibit the tumor growth through regulating the ratio of CD4 /CD8 and the secretion of interleukin (IL)-2 and interferon-γ, inhibiting the expressions of IL-6, IL-10 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3, thereby up-regulating and and down-regulating . The underlying mechanisms involved regulation of immune response and induction of HCC cell apoptosis. These results may provide a more comprehensive perspective to clarify the anti-tumor mechanism of RA in HCC.