TCM 中医

Traditional Chinese Medicine

TCM offers a complementary approach to cancer treatment, with evidence supporting its role in enhancing conventional therapies, improving patient outcomes, and addressing unmet needs in symptom management.

中医 (ZhōngyÄ«)

中 (Zhōng): Means "China" or "Chinese" (as in "中华" for China)

医 (YÄ«): Means "medicine" or "doctor"

Together, "中医" directly translates to "Chinese Medicine" and specifically refers to the traditional medical system developed in China over millennia.

In China, TCM is regulated alongside Western medicine, with specific institutions (e.g., State Administration of TCM) and licensing for practitioners.

TCM is a formalized, codified system with standardized education (e.g., 5-year undergraduate programs) and clinical guidelines.

Medicinal Herbs in Cancer Treatment

Salvia miltiorrhiza - Dan Shen

丹参

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Hedyotis diffusa - Bai Hua She She Cao

白花蛇舌草

Scutellaria Baicalensis

黄芩

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Zi Cao

紫草

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Shikonin: Active Compound from Zi Cao (紫草)

Source: Shikonin (From Lithospermum erythrorhizon) is the main active anticancer compound in Zi Cao.

Mechanisms of Action:

EMT Inhibition: Shikonin inhibits epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in glioblastoma by upregulating p53 and miR-361-5p, suppressing ZEB1 expression, thereby blocking tumor invasion.

Apoptosis Induction: It induces mitochondria-mediated apoptosis via reactive oxygen species (ROS) in gastric and breast cancer cells.

Chemosensitivity Enhancement: Enhances chemosensitivity (e.g., synergizes with paclitaxel in lung cancer).

Cell Cycle Arrest: Arrests the cell cycle by inhibiting Cdc25s/CDK1.

Clinical Evidence:

Preclinical studies highlight its anti-proliferative effects in cervical (HeLa/SiHa cells) and ovarian cancers. A 1991 clinical trial reported a shikonin-containing mixture improved outcomes in late-stage lung cancer. Recent (2025) preclinical reviews emphasize its potential in female carcinomas (e.g., cervical, breast) with anti-angiogenic and anti-metastatic properties. However, large-scale randomized trials are needed to validate efficacy and safety.

Current Research

"Traditional Chinese medicine as a cancer treatment: Modern perspectives of ancient but advanced science"
Yuening Xiang, Zimu Guo, Pengfei Zhu, Jia Chen, and Yongye Huang

Diagnosing diseases

Chinese herbal medicine database