Review
Copyright ©The Author(s) 2015.
World J Hepatol. May 28, 2015; 7(9): 1209-1232
Published online May 28, 2015. doi: 10.4254/wjh.v7.i9.1209
Table 3 Anti-cancer effects of herbal formulas against hepatocarcinoma
Herbal formulaTherapeutic principlesHerbsModelsEffectsTargets/eventsRef.
Fuzheng Yiliu GranuleTonifying Qi and blood, and dissolving stasisHong-Qi (Hedysarum polybotrys), Dang-Gui (Angelica sinensis), Mu-Tou-Hui (Patrinia scabra Bunge), etc.Mouse H22 hepatocarcinoma bearing miceInhibit tumor growth, induce apoptosisp53, caspase-3, mitochondrial membrane potential[126,127]
Fuganchun 6Tonifying Qi and Yin, detoxifying and dissipating massHuang-Qi (Astragalus membranaceus), Nü-Zhen-Zi (Ligustrum lucidum Ait), Bai-Hua-She-She-Cao (Hedyotis diffusa Willd), Bie-Jia (Carapax trionycis), E-Zhu (Curcuma kwangsiensis or Curcuma phaeocaulis or Curcuma wenyujin), etc.Mouse H22 hepatocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivoInhibite tumor growth and cell proliferation, and induce apoptosisEnhance proliferation activity of lymphocyte, NK cells activities and IL-2 production[128,178]
Bushen Jianpi DecoctionTonifying spleen and kidneyDang-Shen ( ), Bai-Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.), Fu-Ling (Poria cocos), Shu-Di-Huang (Rehmannia glutinosa), shan-Zhu-Yu (Cornus officinalis), Du-Zhong (Eucommia ulmoides Oliver), etc.Mouse H22 hepatocarcinoma bearing miceInhibit tumor growth, induce apoptosisVEGF[129]
Warming Yang and Dispersing Stasis FormulaWarming Yang and dispersing stasisFu-Zi (Aconitum carmichaeli Debx.), Huang-Qi (Astragalus membranaceus), Bai-Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.), E-Zhu (Curcuma kwangsiensis or Curcuma phaeocaulis or Curcuma wenyujin), Bai-Shao (Paeonia lactiflora), etc.Human BEL-7402 hepatocarcinoma cellsInduce apoptosisUnknown[130]
Fufangkushen injectionClearing heat and removing toxicityKu-Shen (Sophora flavescens Ait.), etc.Human SMMC-7721 hepatocarcinoma cellsInhibit proliferation, induce apoptosisSurvivin, Bcl-2, caspase-3[131]
Songyou YinTonifying Qi and blood, dissolving stasis and dissipating massDan-shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), Huang-Qi (Astragalus membranaceus Bge.), Gou-Qi (Lycium barbarum L.), Shan-Zha (Crataegus pinnatifida Bge.), and Bie-Jia (Trionyx sinensis Wiegmann)Human MHCC97H hepatocarcinoma bearing nude mice; activated rat hepatic stellate cells and rat McA-RH7777 hepatoma cellsInduce apoptosis, inhibit tumor growth, prolong survival; inhibit invasion and metastasisMMP-2, IL-6, TGF-β1, VEGF, epithelial-mesenchymal transition[132,167]
Huang-lian-jie-du-tangClearing heat and removing toxicityHuang-Lian (C. chinensis Franch), Huang-Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi), Huang-Bai (P. amurense Rupr) and Zhi-Zi (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis)Human Hep G2 and PLC/PRF/5 hepatomain cells in vitro and in vivoInhibit cell proliferation, induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosisCdc2, Cdc25C, cyclin A, cyclin B1, Cdc2, Cdc25C, Bax, Bak, Bcl-2, Bcl-XL, IkappaBalpha[141]
Bu-Zhong-Yi-Qi-TangInvigorating spleen-stomach and replenishing qiHuang-QI (Astragalus membranaceus), Ren-Shen (Panax ginseng), Gang-Gui (Angelicae sinensis), Sheng-Ma (Cimicifuga foetida L.), Gan-Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), Chen-Pi (Citrus poonensis), Chai-Hu (Bupleurum chinensis), Sheng-Jiang (Zingiber officinale), Da-zhao (Ziziphs jujuba), Bai-Shu (Atractylodes macrocephala KOIDZUMI)Human hepatoma Hep3B, HepG2 and HA22T cellsInhibit cell proliferation, induce apoptosis and arrest cell cycle at G0/G1 phaseUnknown[142]
Jiedu Xiaozheng YinHeat-clearing and detoxificationBai-Hua-She-She-Cao (Hedyotis diffusa Willd), Xia-Ku-Cao (Prunella), Shan-Ci-Gu (Pseudobulbus Cremastrae), Ku-Shen (Sophora flavescens)Human Hep G2 hepatoma cell in vitro and in vivoInhibits the growth of HepG2 cells, arrest cell cycle at the G0/G1 phaseCyclin D and cyclin E[143]
Liver Yin Tonifying formulaTonifying liver-Yin, draining dampness and dissipating stasisNü-Zhen-Zi (Ligustrum lucidum Ait), Zhi-Bie-Jia (processed Carapax trionycis) and Hu-Zhang (Polygonum cuspidatum)Human hepatocarcinoma Bel-7402 cellsInhibit proliferation, induce apoptosis and cell senescenceCaspases-8, -9 and -3, p16, p21, pRB[152]
Modified Yi Guan JianTonifying liver and kidney-Yin, draining dampness and dissipating stasisBei-Sha-Shen (Glehnia littoralis), Mai-Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus), Dang-Gui (Angelica sinensis), Shu-Di (dried Rehmannia glutinosa), Gou-Qi (Lycium barbarum), Chuan-Lian-Zi (Melia toosendan Sieb fruit), and Hu-Zhang (Polygonum cuspidatum)Human hepatocarcinoma Bel-7402 cellsInhibit proliferation, induce anoikisCaspases-3, -8 and -9, p38 MAPK[156]
Blejiajian PillTonifying Qi, detoxifying and dissipating massBie-Jia-Jiao(Carapacis trionycis-shell glue), E-Jiao(Colla Corii Asini), Feng-Fang (beehives), Chai-Hu (Bupleurum chinense), Huang-Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis), Ban-Xia (Pinellia ternate), Dang-Shen(Codonopsis pilosula), etc.Human Hep G2 hepatoma cellsInhibit cell proliferation, adhesion and invasionUnknown[168]
Compound Astragalus and Salvia miltiorrhiza extractTonifying Qi and dissipating stasisAstragalosides, astragalus polysaccharide and salvianolic acidsHuman Hep G2 hepatoma cellsInhibit TGF-β1 mediated invasionTGF-β/Smad signaling[169]
Shehuang Xiaoliu FangTonifying spleen, dissolving stasis and detoxifyingShe-Xiang (musk), Niu-Huang (Cow-Bezoar), Dan-shen (Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge.), Bai-Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz.), Ban-Zi-Lian (Sculellaria barbata), E-Zhu (Curcuma kwangsiensis or Curcuma phaeocaulis or Curcuma wenyujin), etc.Human SMMC-7721 hepatocarcinoma cellsInhibit invasive and adhesivenm23-h1 and ICAM-1[170]
Xiaochaihu DecoctionRelief liver for smooth QiChai-Hu (Bupleurum chinense), Huang-Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi), Sheng-Jiang (Zingiber officinale), Ban-Xia (Pinellia ternata), Da-Zao (Ziziphus jujuba), Ren-Shen (Panax ginseng), Gan-cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis)Mouse H22 hepatocarcinoma bearing miceInhibit tumor growthIncrease T lymphocytes proliferation, NK cells activities and IL-2[175]
Mylabris MixtureDetoxifying and dissipating massBan-Mao (Mylabris), Chen-Pi (Citrus reticulata Blanco), Gu-Ya (Setaria italica), etc.Mouse H22 hepatocarcinoma bearing miceInhibit tumor growthIncrease CD4+, CD8+ lymphocytes and NK cells, and IFN-γ and IL-4 production[176]
Fuzheng Yiliu Granule-2Tonifying Qi and tonifying YinHuang-Qi (Astragalus membranaceus), Nü-Zhen-Zi (Ligustrum lucidum Ait), Ling-Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum), and Shan-Yao (Dioscorea opposita)Mouse H22 hepatocarcinoma cells in vitro and in vivoInhibite tumor growth and cell proliferation, and induce apoptosisIncrease CD4+ lymphocyte, IL-2 and TNF-α, and NK cells[177]
Fu-Zheng-Kang-Ai-TangStrengthening body resistance and anti-cancerRen-Shen (Panax ginseng), Huang-Qin (Scutellaria baicalensis Georgi), Ling-Zhi (Ganoderma lucidum), Huang-Qi (Astragalus membranaceus), etc.Human Bel-7402 hepatocarcinoma bearing nude miceInhibit angiogenesis and tumor growthVEGF and bFGF[188]
DelishengTonifying Qi and resolving massesRen-Shen (Panax ginseng), Huang-Qi (Astragalus membranaceus), Cantharidium, etc.Human Hep G2 hepatoma cellsInhibit tumor growthEndostatin[189]
QHFDetoxifying, dissolving stasis and strengthening body resistanceCinobufagin, Ginsenoside Rg3, Panax Notoginseng Saponins, lentinanMouse H22 hepatocarcinoma bearing miceInhibit angiogenesis and tumor growth, enhance anti-cancer effects DDPVEGF, EGFR and MMP-2[190,196]
Erbie SanResolving massesBie-Jia (Carapax trionycis), etc.Wistar rats bearing Walker-256 liver cancerInhibit tumor growthVEGF and endostatin[191]
Chaiqiyigan GranulaTonifying spleen, soothing liver, dissolving stasis and detoxifyingChai-Hu (Bupleurum chinense), Huang-Qi (Astragalus membranaceus), etc.Human hepG2/EGFP hepatoma bearing nude miceEnhance anti-cancer effects of TaxolBax, p53 and VEGF[195]
Shengmai InjectionTonifying Qi and YinRen-Shen (Panax ginseng), Mai-Dong (Ophiopogon japonicus), etc.Mouse H22 hepatocarcinoma bearing miceEnhance anti-tumor efficacy and reduce toxicity of 5-FuUnknown[197]