Role of traditional Chinese medicine in the management of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Table 1 Types of herbal medicines and frequency of use in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Category	Relative frequency	Category	Relative frequency
Herbs that supplement deficiency: Baizhu, Huangqi, Dangshen, Danggui, Shanyao, Gancao, Baishao, Biejia	27.70%	Herbs that drain downwards: Dahuang, Yuanhua	1.37%
Herbs that clear the heat: Baihuasheshecao, Banzhilian, Shengdihuang, Zhizi, Huangqin, Qinghao	19.26%	Herbs that astringe: Wuweizi, Shanzhuyu	1.01%
Herbs that invigorate blood and dissolve stasis: Ezhu, Danshen, Yujin, Tubiechong	13.67%	Herbs that counteract toxins, kill parasites and relieve itching: Fengfang	0.68%
Herbs that promote urination and percolate dampness: Fuling, Yiyiren, Yinchen, Cheqianzi, Yumixu	12.04%	Herbs that warm the interior: Wuyao	0.54%
Herbs that rectify qi: Zhiqiao, Chenpi	8.39%	Herbs that expel wind and damp: Sangjisheng, Qinjiao	0.46%
Herbs that release the exterior: Chaihu, Guizhi	4.14%	Herbs that calm the mind: Suanzaoren, Longgu	0.42%
Herbs that promote digestion: Jineijin	3.18%	Herbs that calm the liver and extinguish wind: Muli, Wugong	0.25%
Herbs that relieve cough, dissolve phlegm and calm panting: Banxia, Tinglizi, Walengzi	2.94%	Herbs that open the orifices: Shexiang	0.11%
Herbs that stanch bleeding: Sanqi, Xianhecao, Baimaogen	1.91%	Herbs that expel parasites: Binglang	0.08%
Herbs that transform dampness: Houpo	1.86%	Herbs that induce vomit: Changshan	0.02%

Table 2 The most frequently prescribed herbal medicines used in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Herb name	Relative frequency	Herb name	Relative frequency
Poria (Fuling)	5.20%	Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui)	2.35%
Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu)	5.20%	Carapax Trionycis (Biejia)	2.22%
Radix Astragali Mongolici (Huangqi)	4.07%	Radix Bupleuri Chinensis (Chaihu)	3.66%
Herba Hedyotidis (Baihuasheshecao)	3.75%	Radix Codonopsis (Dangshen)	3.26%
Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gancao)	3.71%	Radix Paeoniae Alba (Baishao)	3.03%

Table 3 Descending frequency of herbal medicine combinations used in the treatment of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

Precedence	Herbal medicine combinations
1	Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu) and Poria (Fuling)
2	Radix Astragali Mongolici (Huangqi) and Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae Baizhu)
3	Radix Astragali Mongolici (Huangqi) and Radix Codonopsis (Dangshen)
4	Radix Astragali Mongolici (Huangqi) and Radix Angelicae Sinensis (Danggui)
5	Radix Astragali Mongolici (Huangqi) and Poria (Fuling)
6	Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu) and Radix Curcumae Wenyujin (Yujin)
7	Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu) and Radix Bupleuri Chinensis (Chaihu)
8	Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu) and Radix Glycyrrhizae (Gancao)
9	Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu) and Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Chenpi)
10	Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baizhu) and Radix Codonopsis (Dangshen)

Table 4 Herbal medicines and the frequency of their use in treating symptoms and signs associated with hepatocellular carcinoma

Symptoms and signs	Herb and frequency of use (n)
Anorexia	Endothelium Coreneum Gigeriae Galli (Jineijin) (18), Fructus Hordei Germinatus (Maiya) (12), Fructus Amomi (Sharen) (9), stir-baking Fructus Hordei Germinatus et Massa Fer-mentata Medicinalis (Jiaosanxian) (7), Fructus Setariae Germinatus (Guya) (6), Massa Medicata Fermentata (Shenqu) (5) and Fructus Crataegi Pinnatifidae (Shanzha) (5)
Fatigue	Radix Astragali Mongolici (Huangqi) (23) and Radix Codonopsis (Dangshen) (14)
Discomfort	Rhizoma Corydalis Yanhusuo (Yanhusuo) (15), Fructus Toosendan (Chuanlianzi) (13), Radix Curcumae Wenyujin (Yujin) (10), Olibanum (Ruxiang) (9), Myrrha (Moyao) (7), Fructus Citri Sarcodactylis (Foshou) (7), Radix Aucklandiae (Muxiang) (5) and Rhizoma Cyperi (Xiangfu) (5)
Ascites	Pericarpium Arecae (Dafupi) (30), Polyporus (Zhuling) (22), Poria (Fuling) (18), Rhizoma Alismatis (Zexie) (13), Semen Plantaginis (Cheqianzi) (8) and Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis (Houpo) (5)
Jaundice	Herba Artemisiae Capillaris (Yinchen) (37), Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati (Huzhang) (13), Radix et Rhizoma Rhei Palmati (Dahuang) (11), Herba Hyperici Japonici (Tianjihuang) (8), Fructus Gradeniae (Zhizi) (8), Herba Lysimachiae (Jinqiancao) (7), Radix Paeoniae Rubra (Chishao) (6) and Radix Scutellariae Baicalensis (Huangqin) (6)
Abdominal distention	Fructus Aurantii Submaturus (Zhiqiao) (11), Cortex Magnoliae Officinalis (Houpo) (8), Semen Raphani Sativi (Laifuzi) (7), Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae Viride (Qingpi) (6), Radix Aucklandiae (Muxiang) (6), Fructus Amomi (Sharen) (5) and Fructus Aurantii Immaturus (Zhishi) (5)
Nausea and vomiting	Caulis Bambusae in Taeniam (Zhuru) (27), Rhizoma Pinelliae (Banxia) (19), Flos Inulae (Xuanfuhua) (17), Fructus Amomi (Sharen) (10), Ochra Haematitum (Daizheshi) (7) and Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae (Jupi) (6)
Fever	Gypsum Fibrosum (Shigao) (9), Cortex Moutan Radicis (Mudanpi) (8), Radix Bupleuri Chinensis (Chaihu) (8), Herba Artemisiae Annuae (Qinghao) (6), Rhizoma Anemarrhenae (Zhimu) (6) and Fructus Gradeniae (Zhizi) (6)
Diarrhea	Poria (Fuling) (7), Rhizoma Alismatis (Zexie) (7), Semen Euryales (Qianshi) (6) and Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis (Wuweizi) (5)
Constipation	Radix et Rhizoma Rhei Palmati (Dahuang) (12), Fructus et Semen Trichosanthis Kirilowii (Gualou) (6), Semen Pruni Japonicae (Yuliren) (5) and Fructus Cannabis (Huomaren) (5)