Unveiling the anticancer effect of traditional Chinese herbal medicine

Abstract

In this issue of World Journal of Gastroenterology, Huang et al reported that Calculus bovis (CB), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine, impedes the growth of liver cancers in vivo. Through further in vitro studies, they showed that CB suppressed the M2 polarization of tumor-associated macrophages by suppressing the Wnt signaling pathway, which consequently inhibited the growth of liver cancer. Although the effects of traditional Chinese herbal medicine are often not scientifically proven, Huang et al successfully identified the molecular mechanism involved in the anticancer effect of CB, and it is anticipated that the molecular mechanisms involved in the effects of other traditional Chinese herbal medicines will be scientifically elucidated, as demonstrated in this article.

Keywords: Calculus bovis; Chinese herbal medicine; Wnt; Hepatocellular carcinoma; Liver cancer; Tumor-associated macrophages; M2 polarization

Core Tip: The scientific evidence for the effectiveness of traditional Chinese herbal medicine has always been questioned. Huang et al successfully identified the molecular mechanism involved in the anticancer effect of Calculus bovis. They showed that this herbal medicine controls the polarization of tumor-associated macrophages by regulating Wnt signaling. The scientific verification of other traditional medicines is awaited.