Review Article

Herbal Medicine and Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Applications and Challenges

Table 3

Summary of clinical reports using herbal medicines to treat patients with HCC.

Classic herbal composite formulaPatient numbers (treated/control)Dosing and durationThe anti-HCC effectsRefs

Shi-Quan-Da-Bu-Tang (TJ-48)48 (10/38)7.5 g daily oral dose. For up to 6 yearsInhibiting tumors growth. Improving intrahepatic recurrence-free survival after surgical treatment of HCC[76]
Sho-saiko-to (TJ-9)260 (130/130)7.5 g daily oral dose. For up to 2.5 yearsPreventing the development of HCC in patients with cirrhosis, particularly in patients with negative HBs antigen[77, 79]
Shenqi mixture (SQM) combined with microwave coagulation72 (36/36)20 ml, three times a day for 1 monthImproving clinical symptoms and the quality of life. Prolong the survival period of patients[82]
Experience herbal composite formula
Complex prescription of Chinese crude drug after TACE therapy82 (45/37)Dosing unavailable. Duration 1 monthReducing the side effect of TACE. Improving liver function and life quality[89]
Complex prescription of Chinese crude drug combined with TACE therapy2653 (unavailable/unavailable)Dosing and duration unavailableImproving patient survival and life quality. Alleviating symptoms. Increasing tumor response[82]
Complex prescription of Chinese crude drug combined with chemotherapy2079 (unavailable/unavailable)Dosing and duration unavailableImproving survival rate and tumor response[90]