Therapeutic effects of Buzhong Yiqi decoction in patients with spleen and stomach qi deficiency after routine surgery and chemotherapy for colorectal cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND

According to the theory of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the spleen and stomach are the basis of acquired nature and the source of qi and blood biochemistry. After surgery and chemotherapy, patients with colorectal cancer often develop spleen and stomach qi deficiency syndrome, leading to decreased immune function. Buzhong Yiqi decoction, a classic TCM prescription, has the effect of tonifying middle-jiao and invigorating qi, boosting Yang, and suppressing immune-related inflammation. Moreover, it is widely used in the treatment of spleen and stomach qi deficiency syndrome.

AIM

To investigate the effect of Buzhong Yiqi decoction on spleen and stomach qi deficiency in patients with colorectal cancer.

METHODS

One hundred patients with colorectal cancer who underwent preoperative chemotherapy and laparoscopy at The First TCM Hospital of Changde from January 2022 to October 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided equally into control and observation groups. Both groups underwent conventional rehabilitation surgery, and the observation group was supplemented with Buzhong Yiqi decoction. SPSS 26.0 was used for statistical analyses. The χ² test was used for univariate analysis; independent sample t-tests were used in all cases.

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed preoperatively in the general characteristics of the two groups. Fourteen days post-surgery, the abdominal distension, emaciation, loose stool, loss of appetite, and vomiting scores were significantly lower in the observation group than in the control group (P < 0.05). Immune function and interleukin (IL)-10 levels in the observation group were significantly higher than those of the control group, whereas IL-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and C-reactive protein levels, tumor biological indexes, and adverse reactions in the observation group were significantly lower than those of the control group (P < 0.05). One month after surgery, the patients’ quality of life in the observation group was significantly higher than that of the patients in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Buzhong Yiqi decoction can regulate inflammatory responses and metabolic processes by enhancing immune function, thereby promoting overall immune nutrition and restoring the body’s balance.

Keywords: Buzhong Yiqi decoction; Colorectal cancer; Laparoscopic radical surgery; Immune function; Inflammatory mediators; Spleen

Core Tip: Through a retrospective analysis, this study investigated the therapeutic effects of Buzhong Yiqi decoction in patients with spleen and stomach qi deficiency after neoadjuvant chemotherapy and laparoscopic radical surgery for colorectal cancer. The results showed that Buzhong Yiqi decoction significantly improved symptoms, enhanced immune function, reduced the levels of inflammatory mediators, and improved the quality of life of the patients.