Jinpu Capsule: An Anti-Cancer Chinese Patent Medicine
Jinpu Jiaonang (Jinpu Capsule) is an anti-cancer Chinese patent medicine. Its composition is: Rengong Niuhuang (artificial bovis calculus), Jinyinhua (Lonicerae Flos), Wugong (Scolopendra), Chuanshanjia (Manis Squama), Chansu (Bufonis Venenum), Pugongying (Taraxaci Herba), Banzhilian (Scutellariae Barbatae Herba), Shancigu (Cremastrae/Pleione Pseudobulbus), Ezhu (Curcumae Rhizoma), Baihuasheshecao (Hedyotidis Herba), Kushen (Sophorae Flavescentis Radix), Longkui (Solanum Nigri Herba), Zhenzhu (Margarita), Dahuang (Rhei Radix et Rhizoma), Huangyaozi (Dioscoreae Bulbiferae Rhizoma), Zhi Ruxiang (processed Olibanum), Zhi Moyao (processed Myrrha), Cu Yanhusuo (vinegar-processed Corydalis), Honghua (Carthami Flos), Jiang Banxia (ginger-processed Pinellia), Dangshen (Codonopsis), Huangqi (Astragalus), Ciwujia (Acanthopanacis Senticosi Radix), Sharen (Amomi Fructus), and others. Its formula is recorded in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. Some manufacturers produce a Fufang Jinpu Capsule made according to the same Jinpu formula.
Jinpu Capsule is based on Xihuang Wan, the ancestral secret formula of the Qing-dynasty physician Wang Hongxu, with modifications. Xihuang Wan consists of Niuhuang (Bovis Calculus), Shexiang (Moschus), Ruxiang (Olibanum), and Moyao (Myrrha). Jinpu Capsule removes the expensive Shexiang and adds anti-cancer herbs such as Jinyinhua, Wugong, Chuanshanjia, Chansu, Pugongying, Banzhilian, Shancigu, Ezhu, Baihuasheshecao, Kushen, Longkui, Huangyaozi, Honghua, and Banxia; it also uses Yanhusuo to move qi and stop pain, adds Dangshen, Huangqi, and Ciwujia to support zheng qi and root the foundation, and adds Sharen to move qi and resolve stagnation. Thus this composition has a more comprehensive action than Xihuang Wan.
According to traditional TCM theory, Jinpu Capsule mainly clears heat and resolves toxin, reduces swelling and stops pain, boosts qi and resolves phlegm, and fights cancer and dissipates nodules. It can be used as adjuvant therapy for advanced gastric, esophageal, hepatic, gallbladder, and bile-duct cancer. However, most of the herbs are bitter-cold, so patients with spleen-stomach deficiency-cold should use it cautiously. The formula may cause loose stools, gastric distension and pain, acid regurgitation, and reflux; patients with a prior history of these should avoid it. Chansu in the formula may cause cardiac discomfort; Dahuang is purgative, and long-term use may lead to habitual constipation. Patients with underlying conditions should take this medicine under a doctor's guidance.
Dosage and administration follow the package insert. During use, avoid spicy, pickled, and grilled foods. In addition, Jinpu Capsule is not currently covered by medical insurance, so long-term use carries a financial burden.