Chinese Herbal Medicine for Primary Liver Cancer Therapy: Perspectives and Challenges

Abstract

Primary liver cancer (PLC) is one of the most common solid malignancies. However, PLC drug development has been slow, and first-line treatments are still needed; thus, studies exploring and developing alternative strategies for effective PLC treatment are urgently needed. Chinese herbal medicine (CHM) has long been applied in the clinic due to its advantages of low toxicity and targeting of multiple factors and pathways, and it has great potential for the development of novel natural drugs against PLC.Purpose: This review aims to provide an update on the pharmacological mechanisms of Chinese patent medicines (CPMs) and the latest CHM-derived compounds for the treatment of PLC and relevant clinical evaluations.Materials and Methods: A systematic search of English literature databases, Chinese literature, the Clinical Trials Registry Platform, and the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry for studies of CHMs for PLC treatment was performed.Results: In this review, we summarize the clinical trials and mechanisms of CPMs for PLC treatment that have entered the clinic with the approval of the Chinese medicine regulatory authority. These CPMs included Huaier granules, Ganfule granules, Fufang Banmao capsules, Jinlong capsules, Brucea javanica oil emulsions, and compound kushen injections. We also summarize the latest in vivo, in vitro, and clinical studies of CHM-derived compounds against PLC: icaritin and ginsenoside Rg3. Dilemmas facing the development of CHMs, such as drug toxicity and low oral availability, and future developments are also discussed.Conclusion: This review provides a deeper the understanding of CHMs as PLC treatments and provides ideas for the development of new natural drugs against PLC.

Ailanthone Suppresses Liver Cancer Cell Malignant Behavior by Regulating microRNA-489-3p

“…Many investigations have revealed that our TCM can exert anti-liver cancer effects via regulating several target genes [16,17] . Convincing evidence have presented that miRNAs are abnormally expressed in liver cancer and can regulate tumor development by inhibiting target genes, and may also serve as a potential target for liver cancer therapy [18,19] .…”

Long-term oral administration of Huaier granules improves survival outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma patients within Milan criteria following microwave ablation: a propensity score matching and stabilized inverse probability weighting analysis

“…The integration of traditional Chinese medicine, drawing on three thousand years of Chinese medical practice, has become a notable approach ( Liu et al, 2019 ; Changou et al, 2021 ; Li K. et al, 2022 ). Huaier granules, classified as proprietary Chinese medicines, offer the advantages of low toxicity and convenient administration, demonstrating effectiveness in the comprehensive treatment of HCC ( Lei et al, 2015 ; Chen et al, 2018 ; Zhou et al, 2018 ; Wang et al, 2021 ).…”

MYC Oncogene: A Druggable Target for Treating Cancers with Natural Products

“…Specifically, berberine and curcumin are in phase I and II trials for treating ulcerative colitis and colorectal neoplasia, respectively [ 588 , 589 ]. Furthermore, National Medical Products Administration of China has approved icaritin for use in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma and ginsenoside RG3 has passed phase II clinical trials and is undergoing phase III clinical investigation for treatment of primary liver cancer [ 590 ]; however, the number of studies investigating the pharmacodynamics of herbal medicine remains limitedl. Further study of the roles of herbal medicine in influencing MYC, and quantitative data on their toxicity and bioavailability from human clinical trials, are urgently needed.…”