A new dawn for the use of traditional Chinese medicine in cancer therapy

Abstract

Although traditional Chinese medicine has benefitted one fifth of the world's population in treating a plethora of diseases, its acceptance as a real therapeutic option by the West is only now emerging. In light of a new wave of recognition being given to traditional Chinese medicine by health professionals and regulatory bodies in the West, an understanding of their molecular basis and highlighting potential future applications of a proven group of traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of a variety of cancers is crucial - this is where their calling holds much hope and promise in both animal and human trials. Furthermore, the rationale for combining conventional agents and modern biotechnological approaches to the delivery of traditional Chinese medicine is an avenue set to revolutionize the future practice of cancer medicine - and this may well bring on a new dawn of therapeutic strategies where East truly meets West.

Figure 1

The complex interplay between the primary mechanisms of TCM.

Figure 2

Plant (A) and root (B) of Scutellaria Baicalensis ('golden root') where root scale is shown as 1 cm.

Figure 3

Plant of Artemisia absinthium ('Chinese wormwood').

Figure 4

Plant (A) and root (B) of Curcuma longa ('curcumin') where root scale is shown as 1 cm.

Figure 5

Plant of Pteris semipinnata L. ('half-flag').