Chinese Medicine in Cancer Treatment

Panax ginseng (Ren Shen/Ginseng) is a forest herb that has been used by Chinese medical practitioners for more than 2000 years. It inhibits the growth of cancer by interfering with the DNA synthesis. Panax ginseng contains several active constituents, which include saponins, essential oils, phytosterols, amino acids, peptides, vitamins and minerals. Saponins enhance the activity of the natural killer cells (NK cells), stimulate the macrophages and promote the production of the antibodies. According to a report published in the Free Radical Biology and Medicine, the anticancer effect of Panax ginseng is mainly due to its ability to protect the body against free radicals. Studies have shown that Panax ginseng decreases the incidence of liver cancer by 75 per cent. Panax ginseng is used by the Chinese doctors to treat cancers of the ovary and the stomach. Two Korean researchers, T.K. Yun and S.Y. Choi, have reported that the incidence of cancer decreases significantly after administration of Panax ginseng. Studies have revealed that Panax ginseng regenerates the natural killer cells (NK cells), which are damaged by chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Astragalus membranaceus (Huang Qi) is used by Chinese doctors to treat advanced cases of liver cancer. Swainsonine, a derivative of Astragalus membranaceus, is known to prevent metastases. A study conducted at the Peking Cancer Institute has recorded much higher survival rate in the patients of advanced-stage liver cancer after administration of Astragalus membranaceus along with conventional treatment as compared to those patients, who were given the conventional treatment alone. Astragalus membranaceus protects the liver from toxic effects of chemotherapy. Astragalus membranaceus is often used in combination with Panax ginseng. According to research done in Japan, the Ginseng-Astragalus combination (GAC) has a regulatory effect on the natural killer cells (NK cells). Studies have also shown that GAC protects the body from toxic side effects of chemotherapy and enhances the activity of the immune cells. GAC is found to regulate the secretion of the stress hormone, cortisol. Astragalus membranaceus is used in China along with another herb called Ligustrum lucidum. A study conducted at Loma Linda University in California has revealed that Astragalus membranaceus and Ligustrum lucidum, enhance the immune-stimulating effect of each other when given together.

Amygdalin (Laetrile) has been used by Chinese physicians for more than 3,500 years to treat various tumours. Ernest Krebs, a noted biochemist, has confirmed the anticancer activity of Amygdalin, which is derived from Fagopyrum esculentum, Panicum miliaceum and seeds of Prunasin family (including Prunus armenica, Prunus cerasus, Prunus persica and Prunus domestica). Amygdalin is one of the nitrilosides (natural cyanide-containing substances), which consists of two molecules, i.e. benzaldehyde and cyanide.  In the body, these two molecules split off in the liver by an enzyme, called beta-glucosidase to form glucuronic acid. Another enzyme known as glucuronidase that is present in higher concentrations in the cancerous cells breaks glucuronic acid to produce cyanide that kills the cancerous cells. It is worth mentioning that cancerous cells do not contain rhodanese (sulphur transferase), an enzyme, which is found in normal cells of the body. Rhodanase protects normal cells of the body from the killing effects of cyanide by converting free cyanide into a relatively harmless substance known as thiocyanate.

Haelan 851 is a concentrated extract of Glycine max (Soya bean). It was developed by scientists of Fujian Provincial Agricultural College in China (Healing is spelt in old English as 'Haelan' and 851 denotes the year and month of its discovery, i.e. 1985 January). Haelan 851 is rich in zinc, selenium, vitamins (A, B1, B2, B12, C, D, E and K), amino acids, isoflavones, protease inhibitors, saponins and phytosterols. Studies have shown that isoflavones found in Haelan 851 convert the cancerous cells to normal cells by inducing cell differentiation. Ross Pelton, a nutritional biochemist, has reported that many terminal cases of cancer get reversed after administration of Haelan 851. Genistein, one of the isoflavones found in higher concentrations in soya products, is known to induce apoptosis (programmed cell death) in the cancerous cells. Genistein also prevents platelet aggregation by inhibiting tyrosine kinase inhibitor enzyme. It is worth mentioning that platelet aggregation promotes the spread of cancer. It has been observed that genistein blocks the synthesis of DNA in the cancerous cells, thus inhibiting the growth of cancer. Genistein also inhibits the growth of hormone-dependent cancers of the breast and the prostate. Studies have revealed that genistein and other isoflavones found in Haelan 851 prevent the growth of cancer by inhibiting angiogenesis (formation of new blood vessels). Haelan 851 has been found to enhance the immunity of the body and prolong survival period in the liver and the stomach cancer patients. A clinical study done by Chinese doctors on 239 patients of various cancers including those of the lung, stomach, oesophagus, intestines and the lymphatic system, has revealed that Haelan 851 improves quality of life and physical functioning by improving appetite, strengthening the immune system of the body and reducing toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Fu Zhen therapy is used by Chinese doctors to treat cancer. Fu Zhen formulation contains six herbs namely Atractylodes, Astragalus, Codonopsis, Ganoderma, Ginseng and Ligustrum. Fu Zhen therapy strengthens natural defences of the body against cancer by enhancing the activity of the immune cells. According to a report published in the Journal of American Medical Association, the survival period doubled in the patients suffering from advanced stages of cancer after administration of Fu Zhen. Moreover, these patients enjoyed a better quality of life. In another study conducted on 46 patients of the primary liver cancer who were treated with Fu Zhen therapy along with conventional treatment, 29 survived for one year and 10 survived for 3 years, whereas in the control group of 30 patients who were given conventional treatment alone, 6 survived for one year.

Ginkgo biloba (Yin Guo/ Bai Guo) contains Ginkgolide-B, which protects the body against cancer. It inhibits the growth of cancer by regulating the activity of the platelet-activating factor. A recent study done on the workers of the nuclear power station at Chernobyl in Russia has shown that Ginkgo biloba protects the DNA from damaging effects of nuclear radiation.

Rabdosia rubescens (Dong Ling Cao) is used in China to treat cancer. A study conducted on 115 patients suffering from non-resectable oesophageal cancer has shown that the survival period of these patients prolonged by 300 per cent after administration of Rabdosia rubescens in combination with the conventional treatment.

Liu Wei Di Huang is a Chinese herbal formulation used in the treatment of cancer. It contains Rehmannia glutinosa, Corni Officinalis, Dioscorea batatas, Poria cocos, Paeonia suffruticosa and Alismatis orientalis. The Beijing Institute for Cancer Research has reported significant regression of tumours in the patients of small-cell lung cancer after administration of Liu Wei Di Huang. Studies have shown that Liu Wei Di Huang enhances the therapeutic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Angelica Sinensis (Dang Gui) is used by the Chinese physicians to treat cancer of the cervix. The polysaccharide fraction of Angelica Sinensis, known as 'AR-4' possesses immunostimulating activities such as induction of interferon production, stimulation of the immune cell proliferation and enhancement of the antitumour activity of the immune cell.

Berberine is used by Chinese physicians to treat bone marrow depression caused by chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Berberine is isolated from Hydrastis Canadensis (Goldenseal), Mahonia aquifolium (Oregon grape root) and Berberis vulgaris (Barberry).

Prunella vulgaris (Xia Ku Cao) also known as Wild Selfheal contains rosmarinic acid, which is considered as one of the best antioxidants. Chinese physicians have been using this herb to treat cancer.

Actinidia chinensis (Yang-t'ao) root is used by Chinese physicians in the treatment of cancer. Actinidia chinensis contains a polysaccharide known as 'ACPS-R' that possesses immune-enhancing and anticancer activities.

Polyporus umbellatus (Zhu Ling) is found to increase the life span of cancer patients by enhancing the activity of the immune cells against cancer.

In Longhua Hospital of Chinese Medicine, a study was conducted on 60 patients suffering from advanced stages of squamous cell carcinoma of the lung and the oral cavity. These patients were divided into two groups. One group was treated with Chinese herbal medicines and the other with chemotherapy. The average survival period in the group treated by Chinese herbal medicines was 465 days, whereas, in the chemotherapy group, the average survival period was 204 days. The survival rate after 1 year was 67 per cent in the herbal group and 33 per cent in the chemotherapy group. After 2 years, the survival rate was 13 per cent in the herbal group and 3 per cent in the chemotherapy group.

Dr Chen-lian Pan has reported a very good survival rate in 300 patients suffering from the advanced stages of cancer after treatment with the Chinese herbal medicines. The total effective rate of the herbal medicines was 51 per cent with the longest survival period of 11 years.

Dr Minyi Chang, who treated more than 5,000 cancer patients with the Chinese herbal medicines since 1982, has described the effectiveness of 256 Chinese anticancer herbs in his book, Anticancer Medicinal Herbs.

Kampo is the Japanese version of the Chinese herbal medicine. In Kampo, the herbs are used in combinations. There are more than 140 Kampo formulations, out of which the most effective anticancer combinations are Juzen-taiho-to and Sho-saiko-to.

Juzen-taiho-to (JT-48) is a combination of Astragalus, Angelica, Cinnamomum, Ginseng, Glycyrrhiza, Urtica, Paeonia and some other herbs. Juzen-taiho-to enhances anticancer activity of the natural killer cells (NK cells) and reduces toxic effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Sho-saiko-to contains Bupleurum, Pinellia, Scutellaria, Ziziphus jujuba, Panax ginseng, Glycyrrhiza and Zingiber. Sho-saiko-to enhances activity of the macrophages and enables the patient to fight cancer effectively.