Bushen-Jianpi decoction

A traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) that is used for Yin deficiency of the liver, kidney and spleen, with potential immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Bushen-Jianpi decoction (BSJPD; BJD) consists of various herbs, including, but not limited to, Radix Codonopsis (Dang Shen), Fructus Lycii (the fruit of Chinese wolfberry), Rhizoma Atractylodis Macrocephalae (Baishu; Bai Zhu), Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, Cuscuta chinensis (Chinese dodder) seed, and Psoralea corylifolia Linn. As a TCM, Bushen-Jianpi is used as an antineoplastic agent as it is thought to invigorate the spleen and tonify the kidney, which presumably prevents or treats a variety of cancers. Upon administration of Bushen-Jianpi decoction, the ingredients in the decoction may affect signaling pathways involved in carcinogenesis and enhance the immune system by increasing the levels of numerous cytokines and a variety of immune cells, such as cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), natural killer cells (NKs) and macrophages. It may also reduce the expression of various proteins involved in tumorigenesis.