Objective:To investigate the inhibitory effect of Baihe Recipe on growth and metastasis of orthotopically transplanted human gastric carcinoma BGC-823 in nude mice and the effects on microvascular density (MVD) and the expression of matrix metalloproteinases-9 (MMP-9) in the tumor tissues. MethodsSixty nude mice orthotopically transplanted with human gastric cancer BGC-823 cells were randomly assigned into four groups:Baihe recipe group, 5-fluorourcil (5-FU) group, Baihe recipe + 5-FU group and model group, 15 mice in each group. The Baihe recipe group received Baihe recipe 0.5 ml (0.2 g/ml) by gastric gavage once a day, the 5-FU group was intraperitoneally administered 5-Fu dilution 0.2 ml (6 mg/ml) once a week, the Baihe recipe + 5-FU group was administered Baihe recipe 0.5 ml (0.2 g/ml) by gastric gavage once a day and 5-FU dilution 0.2 ml (6 mg/ml) intraperitoneally once a week, and the untreated group was given 0.9% NaCl solution 0.5 ml by gastric gavege once a day. When the experiment was completed at 6 weeks after administration, the growth and metastasis of the orthotopically transplanted tumor in nude mice was observed and tumor mass was measured to calculate the tumor inhibition rate in each group. The ultrastructure was observed under electron microscopy. MVD and the expression of MMP-9 were detected in the tumor tissues by immunohistochemistry in each group.  Results:The tumor mass was obviously lower in the Baihe recipe, the 5-FU and the Baihe recipe + 5-FU groups than in the model group, with an inhibition rate of 48.65%, 47.64% and 54.39% respectively. Under electron microscope, the gastric cancer cells showed apoptosis in the Baihe recipe, the 5-FU and the Baihe recipe + 5-FU groups. MVD and the expression of MMP-9 in the tumor tissues decreased in the Baihe recipe and the Baihe recipe + 5-FU groups compared to the 5-FU and the model groups (P<0.05).  Conclusion:Baihe recipe inhibits the growth and metastasis of human gastric cancer BGC-823 orthotopically transplanted in nude mice, reduces MVD and inhibits microangiogenesis in the tumor tissues, probably by down-regulating the expression of MMP-9.