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Other common
name(s): dong ling cao, oridonin, ponicidin
Scientific/medical
name(s): Rabdosia
rubescens, Isodon
rubescens
Description
Rabdosia
rubescens is a Chinese herb promoted as a treatment for
cancer of the esophagus. It was also 1 of the 8 herbs used in PC-SPES,
an herbal formula that was promoted as a treatment for prostate cancer
prior to being removed from the market for irregularities in its
manufacturing (see PC-SPES). Rabdosia
rubescens is an ingredient in the herbal products PC-HOPE
and PC-CARE, which are similar to PC-SPES and are currently available.
Overview
There are some signs that extracts of this herb may have
anti-cancer activity. Further research is needed to find out what role,
if any, these substances may have in cancer treatment.
How is it promoted for use?
Rabdosia
rubescens is promoted as a treatment for cancer of the
esophagus. PC-HOPE and PC-CARE, 2 herbal products in which the herb is
a ingredient, are promoted for the treatment of prostate cancer.
Additional uses in Chinese herbal medicine include treatment of cancers
of the stomach, breast, and liver and relief of insect bites, snake
bites, and inflammation of the tonsils.
What does it involve?
The herbal products PC-HOPE and PC-CARE (which contain Rabdosia rubescens)
come in capsules and are taken daily, in varying dosages. PC-SPES is no
longer produced. PC-HOPE and PC-CARE are available in health food
stores, from some nutritionists, and directly from manufacturers. In
one clinical trial of Rabdosia
rubescens as a treatment for esophageal cancer, the herb
was taken by mouth as a lozenge 3 times a day, once after each meal.
What is the history behind it?
Rabdosia
rubescens has been used as a Chinese folk medicine to
clear the body of toxins, nourish yin, remove blood stasis, relieve
swelling, and relieve pain.
What is the evidence?
In the past few years, several laboratory studies have shown
that 2 extracts of Rabdosia
rubescens, called oridonin and ponicidin, have some
activity against cancer cells. Oridonin has been tested against several
types of human cancer cells in laboratory dishes and in mice. Most of
these studies were done in China or Japan, and all showed activity
against the cancer cells. Ponicidin was tested in the laboratory
against human leukemia cells in China and found to help induce cell
death, or apoptosis. Even though laboratory studies show promise,
further studies are needed to find out whether the results apply to
humans.
Other extracts from the herb are in earlier stages of study.
No studies using the whole herb as a cancer treatment were available,
although a few laboratory and animal studies reported using an extract
of the whole herb rather than isolated compounds. Extracted compounds
are not the same as the herb, and study results are not likely to show
the same effects. More research is needed to find out what role, if
any, these substances may have in cancer treatment.
A clinical trial conducted in China compared Rabdosia rubescens
with placebo for patients with localized esophageal cancer and compared
chemotherapy with Rabdosia
rubescens and chemotherapy without Rabdosia rubescens
for advanced disease. In both situations, the researchers reported that
the herbal lozenges improved survival.
Are there any possible problems or
complications?
This product is sold as a
dietary supplement in the United States. Unlike companies that produce
drugs (which must provide the FDA with results of detailed testing
showing their product is safe and effective before the drug is approved
for sale), the companies that make supplements do not have to show
evidence of safety or health benefits to the FDA before selling their
products. Supplement products without any reliable scientific evidence
of health benefits may still be sold as long as the companies selling
them do not claim the supplements can prevent, treat, or cure any
specific disease. Some such products may not contain the amount of the
herb or substance that is written on the label, and some may include
other substances (contaminants). Though the FDA has written new rules
to improve the quality of manufacturing processes for dietary
supplements and the accurate listing of supplement ingredients, these
rules do not take full effect until 2010. And, the new rules do not
address the safety of supplement ingredients or their effects on health
when proper manufacturing techniques are used.
Most such
supplements have not been tested to find out if they interact with
medicines, foods, or other herbs and supplements. Even though some
reports of interactions and harmful effects may be published, full
studies of interactions and effects are not often available. Because of
these limitations, any information on ill effects and interactions
below should be considered incomplete.
No serious side effects were reported in one Chinese study of
patients with cancer of the esophagus; mild side effects included mild
abdominal symptoms, diarrhea, and skin itching. Relying on this type of
treatment alone and avoiding or delaying conventional medical care for
cancer may have serious health consequences.
Additional Resources
More information from your American Cancer
Society
The following information on complementary and alternative
therapies may also be helpful to you. These materials may be found on
our Web site (www.cancer.org)
or ordered from our toll-free number (1-800-ACS-2345).
References
Chen S, Gao J, Halicka HD, Huang X, Traganos F, Darzynkiewicz
Z. The cytostatic and cytotoxic effects of oridonin (Rubescenin), a
diterpenoid from Rabdosia rubescens, on tumor cells of different
lineage. Int J Oncol.
2005;26:579-588.
Chu JHK. Dong ling cao. Complementary and Alternative Healing
University Web site. http://alternativehealing.org/dong_ling_cao.htm.
Accessed August 6, 2008.
Ikezoe T, Chen SS, Tong XJ, Heber D, Taguchi H, Koeffler HP.
Oridonin induces growth inhibition and apoptosis of a variety of human
cancer cells. Int J
Oncol. 2003;23:1187-1193.
Ikezoe T, Yang Y, Bandobashi K, Saito T, Takemoto S, Machida
H, Togitani K, Koeffler HP, Taguchi H. Oridonin, a diterpenoid purified
from Rabdosia rubescens, inhibits the proliferation of cells from
lymphoid malignancies in association with blockade of the NF-kappa B
signal pathways. Mol
Cancer Ther. 2005;4:578-586.
Liu JJ, Huang RW, Lin DJ, Wu XY, Lin Q, Peng J, Pan X, Song
YQ, Zhang MH, Hou M, Chen F. Antiproliferation effects of ponicidin on
human myeloid leukemia cells in vitro. Oncol Rep.
2005;13:653-357.
Liu JJ, Huang RW, Lin DJ, Wu XY, Peng J, Pan XL, Lin Q, Hou M,
Zhang MH, Chen F. Antiproliferation effects of oridonin on HPB-ALL
cells and its mechanisms of action. Am J Hematol.
2006;81:86-94.
Ren KK, Wang HZ, Xie LP, Chen DW, Liu X, Sun J, Nie YC, Zhang
RQ. The effects of oridonin on cell growth, cell cycle, cell migration
and differentiation in melanoma cells. J Ethnopharmacol.
2006;103:176-180.
Wang R, Cheng P, Fan Q, Wang R. Clinical efficacy for the
treatment of esophageal cancer with rabdosia rubescens alone and
combining with chemotherapy.
Life Science Journal. 2007;4(3).
Note: This information may not cover
all possible claims, uses, actions, precautions, side effects or
interactions. It is not intended as medical advice, and should not be
relied upon as a substitute for consultation with your doctor, who is
familiar with your medical situation.
Last Medical Review: 11/01/2008
Last Revised: 11/01/2008
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