The Potential of Traditional Chinese Medicine in Cancer Treatment: Taking Astragalus as an Example

Abstract

This article aims to explore the potential and application prospects of Astragalus membranaceus (AM), a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), in anti-tumor therapy. In recent years, the incidence rate of cancer has continued to rise, with high mortality rates for malignant tumors such as pancreatic cancer. Astragalus, as a traditional medicinal herb for nourishing qi and supporting vital energy, has been found to contain various active ingredients such as polysaccharides, astragaloside IV, and flavonoids, which exhibit direct or indirect anti-tumor effects. Through an analysis of existing research, this article points out that astragalus polysaccharides can interfere with the tumor cell cycle and inhibit proliferation, astragaloside IV can inhibit epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) to block metastasis, and flavonoids alleviate oxidative stress through antioxidation. Additionally, astragalus can protect bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells from radiation damage, reverse paclitaxel resistance in breast cancer, enhance the efficacy of chemotherapy, and maintain good safety. Despite societal skepticism about the efficacy of botanical drugs, scientific evidence demonstrates that astragalus has significant value in assisting radiotherapy and chemotherapy and improving patients’ quality of life. Future clinical research is needed to verify its efficacy in humans and optimize medication regimens, promoting astragalus to become an important adjuvant in the integrated treatment of tumors with traditional Chinese and Western medicine.