Herbal traditional Chinese medicine and its evidence base in gastrointestinal disorders

Table 8 Clinical trials with herbal traditional Chinese medicine preparations for colon carcinoma

Ref.	Patients	Treatment	Control	Outcome	Remarks
Zhou et al[146], 2009	163 pat.; colon carcinoma, no information on stage	105 pat.; 40 mL/d Zhao's Weitiao No. 3, 30 d = 1 cycle, 4-6 cycles	58 pat.; 40 mL/d Zhao's Weitiao No. 3 + OLF protocol, cycles as treatment	For tumor mass, CEA control is better, for symptom and QoL treatment is better	Assignment according to patients wish; OLF: oxaliplatin, 5-FU + leucovorin. Conclusions incorrect
Liu et al[147], 2005	64 pat.; colon carcinoma postoperatively	43 pat.; chemotherapy + Jianpi Huoxue herbs, 3 mo, no dose given	21 pat.; chemotherapy, 3 mo	Remission 39.5% treatment, 33.3 control; Pi deficiency treatment P < 0.01	Randomized study; effects only in Chinese symptoms
Guo[149], 1999	68 pat.; large intestinal cancer	38 pat.; chemotherapy + Fu Zheng Yiai decoction, no dose, duration	30 pat.; chemotherapy, no dose, duration	Physical strength, survival time, rate, recurrence sign better	No specific data given
Cao et al[148], 1994	79 pat.; diverse advanced carcinoma incl. colon carcinoma	LAK/IL-2 + Lycium Barbarum polysaccharides; no dose, duration	LKA/IL-2	Response rate, remission, NK, LAK cell activity sign. better	4 dropouts. No specific data
Li[150], 1992	176 pat.; malignant tumor of digestive tract	Chemotherapy + Shen Qi injection, no further details given	Chemotherapy, no further details given	No leukocyte decrease, improved cellular immunological function	No specific data given

LKA: Lymphokine activated killer cells; OLF: Oxaliplatin, leucovorin, 5-fluorouracil; QoL: Quality of life.