ABSTRACT
Esophageal cancer is a digestive tract malignancy with high morbidity and mortality and mainly occurs in males. The 5-year survival rate is lower than 20%. In China， the morbidity and mortality of esophageal cancer rank the first in the world， seriously threatening national health. The pathogenesis of esophageal cancer is diverse， which is generally considered as the consequence of environmental-genetic-gene interaction. In addition to genetic factors and regional characteristics， gene mutation， RNA interference， DNA damage repair， tumor microenvironment， dietary habit， chronic adverse stimulation， and inflammatory reaction are all involved in the occurrence and development of esophageal cancer. However， there is no unified and accurate conclusion. Clarifying the exact pathogenesis of esophageal cancer is of great significance for its early screening， diagnosis， prevention， treatment， and prognosis. Surgery， radiotherapy， and chemotherapy are the three effective methods for the treatment of esophageal cancer. However， due to the atypical early symptoms， most patients have missed the best operation period when diagnosed， resulting in poor clinical prognosis. Moreover， radiotherapy and chemotherapy will cause side effects such as loss of appetite， low immune function， esophagitis， pneumonia， and malnutrition， which is not conducive to the prognosis and treatment maintenance of patients. With definite efficacies on esophageal cancer， traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， which is flexible and diverse in the treatment， can primarily or alternatively be involved in the treatment of esophageal cancer. TCM can eliminate postoperative complications and postoperative infections and relieve adverse gastrointestinal reactions， weakened immune function， and organ damage caused by radiotherapy and chemotherapy. It can enhance clinical efficacy and improve the quality of life of patients. Therefore， it is necessary to systematically summarize the clear pathogenesis or risk factors of esophageal cancer and review the clinical characteristics of TCM in the prevention and treatment of esophageal cancer to facilitate the early screening， diagnosis， and treatment of esophageal cancer and promote the application of TCM in the prevention and treatment of esophageal cancer and related adverse reactions.
ABSTRACT
Scientifically elucidating the mode of action of Chinese medicine has become an urgent challenge to Chinese medicine researchers.Opinions on the mode of Chinese medicine effect are active.The scientific hypothesis that additive effect is the key mode of action for Chinese medicine,trigger the scholars and experts in pharmacology field of Chinese medicine to think and contend.The opinion of additive effect provides a new interpretation for mode of action and action characteristics of Chinese medicine.It plays a positive role in the development of pharmacology of Chinese medicine.According to current research results of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and clinical cases,this paper made further thinking and summary on the key mode of action for Chinese medicine.The summary is as follows.The diversity of Chinese medicine structure and complexity of Chinese medicine targets determine the complicated mode of action of Chinese medicine.Mode of action for Chinese medicine is complex and variable,which is to adapt to changes in the environment.The genetic diversity of the body receptors due to evolution and the diversity of Chinese medicine and biological complex network control system have determined that a single component of Chinese medicine is more likely to act synergistically by targeting on different targets.From the point of view of Monarch,Minister,Assistant and Guide theory of Chinese medicine,additive effect has limitation.Therefore,just using additive effect is unable to fully explain the Chinese medicine compatible regularity of Monarch,Minister,Assistant and Guide theory.Additive effect is one of action types for Chinese medicine.It is worth to consider if there has any other more important action type for Chinese medicine.