Abstract: Objective To explore the molecular mechanism by which Biejiajian pills inhibit hepatocellular carcinoma in a nude
mouse model bearing HepG2 cell xenograft. Methods The inhibitory effect of Biejiajian pills on the growth of HepG2 cell
xenograft in nude mice was observed. Immunohistochemical method was used to examine proliferating cell nuclear antigen
(PCNA) expression in HepG2 cell xenograft, and TUNEL method was employed to detect the cell apoptosis; the expression
levels of β-catenin and Tbx3 were measured by Western blotting. Results Biejiajian pills significantly suppressed the growth of
HepG2 cell xenograft in nude mice. The tumor-bearing mice treated with a high and a moderate dose of Biejiajian pills showed
significantly increased apoptosis rate of the tumor cells [(22.9 ± 1.220)% and (14.7 ± 0.50)% , respectively] compared with the
control group [(5.5±0.90)%, P<0.05]. Treatment with Biejiajian pills significantly decreased the expressions of PNCA, β-catenin,
and Tbx3 in the cell xenograft (P<0.05). Conclusion Biejiajian pills can inhibit the growth of HepG2 cell xenograft in nude mice
and promote tumor cell apoptosis possibly by inhibiting PNCA expression and the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.