The Analgesic and Anticancer Action of Tianchan Capsule, a Chinese Patent Medicine

Tianchan Capsule is a Chinese patent medicine commonly used in oncology. Its ingredients are: Tianxianwu (Corydalis decumbens Rhizoma), prepared Chuanwu (Aconiti Radix preparata), Chansu (Bufonis Venenum), Zusima (Daphnes Giraldii Cortex), Baiqucai (Chelidonii Herba), Qinjiao (Gentianae macranthae Radix), Baizhi (Angelicae Dahuricae Radix), Chuanxiong (Chuanxiong Rhizoma), and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix). It is produced by manufacturers such as Leiyunshang and is sold on the market or at some online pharmacies. However, it is a prescription drug and requires a doctor's prescription.

The main actions of Tianchan Capsule are to move qi and activate blood, and to unblock the collaterals and stop pain. It is used for mild to moderate cancer pain of the qi-stagnation and blood-stasis type caused by lung, gastric, or liver cancer, presenting with fixed, localized pain, a purplish-dark tongue, and rough, scaly skin. Adults take 3 capsules orally three times daily; 5 days is one course; children reduce dose as appropriate.

Tianxianwu in this formula is the rhizome of Corydalis decumbens, a poppy-family plant. I previously wrote a dedicated article on Tianxianwu, The Blood-Activating and Pain-Relieving Action of the Poppy-Family Herbs Tianxianwu and Yanhusuo (Corydalis); readers may click the title link for details. Tianxianwu has a fairly marked analgesic effect; folk empirical formulas use it alone for various pains, but ordinary pharmacies do not stock it.

Chuanwu is also an important TCM analgesic. Raw Chuanwu is highly toxic, so it must be processed before oral use. If raw Chuanwu goes into a decoction, it must be pre-decocted for 1–2 hours to avoid poisoning.

Chansu (toad venom) has both anticancer and analgesic actions. I previously wrote The Anticancer Action of the Toad, introducing Chansu's anticancer and analgesic effects; readers wishing to know Chansu's effects and side effects in detail may click the link above.

Zusima, also called Zushima, is an uncommon herb, but it is often included in analgesic patent medicines. There is a folk saying: "Though beaten to a crawl, one cannot do without Zushima." Zushima treats bruises and wounds and rheumatic bi pain; pain relief is its main action.

Baiqucai is a plant of the poppy family's Chelidonium genus; poppy-family plants often have analgesic effects, and pain relief is Baiqucai's main action. In addition, it stops cough and promotes diuresis.

Qinjiao, Baizhi, and Chuanxiong are all common TCM analgesics. Qinjiao dispels wind-damp and stops pain; Baizhi dispels wind-cold and stops pain; Chuanxiong activates blood and stops pain.

So in Tianchan Capsule, apart from Gancao, which harmonizes the other herbs, every ingredient is a dedicated analgesic. Even Gancao itself has the action of relieving urgency and pain.

Animal experiments show that Tianchan Capsule markedly inhibits the acetic-acid writhing response in mice, the hot-plate pain response in mice, and the tail-flick pain response in rats; it raises the trigeminal pain threshold in rats. Onset is about 30 minutes after dosing, with peak effect at 2 hours; analgesia increases with dose.

Pharmacological experiments further show that Tianchan Capsule, combined with cyclophosphamide, raises the tumor inhibition rate in S180 tumor-bearing mice and prolongs survival in Ehrlich ascites carcinoma mice; continuous dosing showed no tolerance.

However, because Chuanwu and Chansu in this formula are both highly toxic, the capsule has certain side effects. During use there may be drowsiness, dry mouth, nausea and vomiting, abdominal distension and diarrhea, constipation, poor appetite, a burning sensation in the back, rash, and cardiac discomfort. If these side effects appear, stop Tianchan Capsule immediately. Pregnant and breastfeeding women are forbidden from using it; women planning pregnancy should also use it cautiously.