Keywords
Coix Seed
Cachexia
Malignant tumor
Submitted : 2025-07-08
Accepted : 2025-07-23
Published : 2025-08-07
Abstract
Objective: To investigate the therapeutic effects and safety of Dioscorea Decoction combined with Coix Seed in treating cancer cachexia (spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome) in malignant tumor patients. Methods: A total of 90 patients with cancer cachexia admitted between June 2024 and June 2025 were randomly divided into a control group and a study group (45 cases each) using a random number generator. Both groups received antitumor therapy, oral megestrol acetate capsules, and conventional nutritional intervention. The study group additionally received oral Dioscorea Decoction combined with Coix Seed. Differences in TCM syndrome scores, nutritional indicators (serum albumin, hemoglobin), and adverse reactions were compared before and after treatment. Results: Baseline TCM syndrome scores and nutritional indicators were comparable between the two groups before treatment. After treatment, both groups showed significant reductions in TCM syndrome scores and increases in serum albumin and hemoglobin levels. The study group exhibited lower TCM syndrome scores and higher serum albumin and hemoglobin levels than the control group, with statistically significant differences. No significant difference in adverse reaction rates was observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Dioscorea Decoction combined with Coix Seed can further improve nutritional status, alleviate clinical symptoms, and demonstrate good safety in treating cancer cachexia patients.
References
Xi Z, Wei Y, Ni F, et al., 2024, Summary of Best Evidence for Non-Pharmacological Nutrition Management of Patients with Cancer Cachexia. Journal of Nursing Science, 39(13): 106–110 + 115.
Guo M, Yuan L, Xue Y, et al., 2023, Summary of Best Evidence for Cachexia Management in Patients with Terminal Cancer. Journal of Nurses Training, 38(13): 1205–1209 + 1220.
Zhou H, Su Z, Liu F, 2023, Pathogenesis and Clinical Treatment Progress of Lung Cancer Cachexia. Journal of Jiangsu University (Medical Edition), 33(6): 486–492.
Xu J, Wang J, Tan S, et al., 2023, Diagnosis, Evaluation, and Treatment Progress of Cancer Cachexia. Chinese Journal of Clinical Medicine, 30(6): 1074–1079.
National Standards of the People’s Republic of China for Clinical Diagnostic Terminology in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Continued from the Previous Issue), 1998, Journal of Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1998(2): 53–55.
Zheng X, 2002, Guiding Principles for Clinical Research of New Drugs in Traditional Chinese Medicine: Trial Implementation. China Medical Science and Technology Press, Beijing.
Sun Y, Shao X, Hu C, 2021, Current Status of Treatment for Cancer Anorexia-Cachexia Syndrome with Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine. Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine for Oncology, 3(6): 102–107.
Zhong X, Li A, Ye J, 2024, Research Progress of Megestrol Acetate in Cancer Cachexia. The Practical Journal of Cancer, 39(3): 518–522.
Shen S, Li Q, Liu F, et al., 2019, Clinical Study on the Treatment of Infertility Caused by Thin Endometrium with Kidney Yang Deficiency Syndrome by Modified Shuyu Decoction Combined with Femoston. Journal of New Chinese Medicine, 51(10): 57–59.
Qi u C, Cai H, Zhang Y, 2020, Clinical Observation on the Treatment of Cancer Cachexia Patients with Shuyu Decoction Combined with Coix seed. Modern Diagnosis and Treatment, 31(17): 2699–2701.
She M, 2024, Study on the Effect and Mechanism of Astragalus membranaceus Combined with Chinese Yam on Sarcopenia in Elderly Type 2 Diabetic Mice Based on Rab5a/mTOR Pathway, thesis, Southern Medical University.
Wang L, Sun Y, Chen S, et al., 2023, Intervention of Cancer Cachexia Skeletal Muscle Atrophy with Spleen-Invigorating and Kidney-Nourishing Therapy Based on ERAD-ERSIA Homeostasis. Journal of Hunan University of Chinese Medicine, 43(12): 2305–2312.
Jiang L, Zhang W, Xiao T, et al., 2024, Material Basis, Mechanism of Action, and Safety Evaluation of Shenling Baizhu Powder in the Treatment of Ulcerative Colitis. Wuhan University Journal of Natural Sciences, 70(2): 236–252.
Song L, Yu Y, Zhang C, et al., 2024, Effects of Jianpi Yangwei Recipe Combined with Chemotherapy on Nutritional Status, T-Cell Subsets, and Coagulation Function in Patients with Advanced Gastric Cancer. Shaanxi Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 45(6): 780–784.