Jinfukang Oral Liquid as Adjuvant Therapy for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer
Jinfukang Koufuye (Jinfukang Oral Liquid) is a Chinese patent medicine produced by several manufacturers in China and is covered by medical insurance; its indication is non-small cell lung cancer. Its composition is: Huangqi (Astragalus), Beishashen (Glehniae/Radix), Tiandong (Asparagi Radix), Maidong (Ophiopogonis Radix), Nuzhenzi (Ligustri Lucidi Fructus), Shanzhuyu (Corni Fructus), Yinyanghuo (Epimedii Herba), Huluba (Trigonellae Semen), Jiaogulan (Gynostemmatis Herba), Shishangbai (Selaginellae Doederleinii Herba), Shijianchuan (Salviae Chinensis Herba), Chonglou (Paridis Rhizoma), and others. It is a brownish liquid, 10 ml per vial. The oral dose is three vials three times daily. Thirty days constitutes one course, and treatment generally lasts more than one course.
According to traditional TCM theory, Jinfukang Oral Liquid supplements qi and nourishes yin, clears heat and resolves toxin, and reduces swelling and dissipates nodules. It is mainly used for primary non-small cell lung cancer unsuitable for surgery or radiotherapy, in patients with qi-yin deficiency and toxic-heat stasis obstruction. It may be used alone or as adjuvant therapy during chemotherapy for non-small cell lung cancer. Combined with chemotherapy it helps improve chemotherapeutic efficacy, enhance immune function, and reduce side effects such as chemotherapy-induced leukopenia.
In Jinfukang Oral Liquid, Huangqi, Shashen, Tiandong, Maidong, Nuzhenzi, Shanzhuyu, Yinyanghuo, Huluba, and Jiaogulan are all tonifying herbs: Huangqi supplements qi; Shashen, Tiandong, and Maidong nourish yin and moisten the lung; Nuzhenzi and Shanzhuyu nourish kidney yin; Yinyanghuo and Huluba supplement kidney yang; Jiaogulan supplements qi and generates fluids. Thus the formula is strongly supportive of zheng qi. Shishangbai, Shijianchuan, and Chonglou clear heat, resolve toxin, reduce swelling, and dissipate nodules; modern pharmacology shows these herbs have some anti-tumor activity.
When used for lung cancer, Jinfukang Oral Liquid is best combined with other Chinese patent medicines that have some effect on lung cancer—such as Kanglaite, Yunzhi Capsule, Jinqiaomai Tablets, Fufang Banmao Capsule, Pingxiao Capsule, Huachansu, Xihuang Wan, Fufang Hongdoushan Capsule, and Xiaoaiping Tablets—to enhance efficacy.
Jinfukang Oral Liquid has a mild laxative side effect; patients with prior loose stools or chronic diarrhea should use it cautiously.