NATURAL PRODUCT RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT ›› 2025, Vol. 37 ›› Issue (增刊1): 151-161.

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Research progress on theory and mechanism of traditional Chinese medicine in treating colorectal cancer liver metastases

LI Nan1,2,ZHANG Ce1*,HAO Shu-lan2*   

  1. 1Key Laboratory of Cellular Physiology at Shanxi Medical University,Ministry of Education,Taiyuan 030001,China;2Shanxi Provincial Research Institute of Traditional Chinese Medicine,Taiyuan 030012,China
  • Online:2025-09-25 Published:2025-09-22

Abstract:

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the three most common malignant tumors worldwide,with the liver being the primary site of metastasis.Liver metastasis is also the leading cause of death in CRC patients.In addition to surgical treatment,Western treatments primarily employs chemotherapy,radiofrequency ablation,immunotherapy,and targeted therapy.While these approaches can extend survival,they are often associated with substantial adverse effects that impair patients' quality of life.Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM),characterized by its multi-component,multi-target,and multi-pathway effects,has demonstrated therapeutic potential in colorectal cancer liver metastasis (CRLM).Multiple studies have indicated that TCM intervention not only helps extend the survival of CRLM patients but also alleviates symptoms and enhances their quality of life.Moreover,modern pharmacological studies have elucidated the mechanisms of action of TCM,including its active compounds,providing a foundation for novel drug development.This article will review the understanding and interpretation of CRLM within the framework of Traditional Chinese Medicine theory,and discuss the mechanisms through which TCM acts in the treatment of CRLM.

Key words: colorectal cancer, liver metastasis, traditional chinese medicine, mechanism of action, pharmacological mechanism

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