Chinese Herbal Decoction Based on Syndrome Differentiation as Maintenance Therapy in Patients with Extensive-Stage Small-Cell Lung Cancer: An Exploratory and Small Prospective Cohort Study

Table 1

Fundamental prescription based on syndrome differentiation.

(a) Qi deficiency syndrome.

Chinese name	Pharmaceutical name
Huang Qi	RadixAstragali	45
Tai Zi Shen	RadixPseudostellariae	15
Bai Zhu	Atractylodes	15
Fu Ling	Wolfiporiaextensa	20
Chen Pi	Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae	6

(b) Yin deficiency syndrome.

Chinese name	Pharmaceutical name
Sha Shen	Adenophoraelata	30
Mai Dong	Radix Ophiopogonis	12
Sang Ye	Mulberry leaf	12
Xuan Shen	Scrophularianingpoensis	12
Shi Gao	Gypsum	45

(c) Phlegm syndrome.

Chinese name	Pharmaceutical name
Gua Lou	Fructus Trichosanthis	20
Xie Bai	Alliummacrostemon	15
Xing Ren	Almond	10
Jie Geng	Platycodongrandiflorum	30
Ban Xia	Pinelliaternata	10

(d) Anticancer (added 1-2 kinds to prescription).

Chinese name	Pharmaceutical name
Ban Zhi Lian	Barbed skullcap herb	30
Long Kui	Nightshade	15
Bai Ying	Bittersweet herb	20
Shi Jian Chuan	Chinese sage herb	15
Bai Hua She She Cao	Spreading hedyotis herb	30

Decocting method: soak the herbs in water for 30 min with water level 1 cm above the herbs. First, boil with strong heat, then with gentle heat for about 20–40 minutes. Then, decant the decoction, repeat the above course, combine the decoction, and concentrate to 300 mL.
Dosage and administration: one set of herbs per day, 150 mL each time, twice a day, one hour after breakfast and supper.