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The factors which cause the development of androgen-independent prostate cancer progression are heterogeneous and multistage. The use of single-target western medicine may not be effective as treatment. On the contrary, combination therapies such as herbal remedies can act as an alternative and complementary approach for prostate cancer treatment since they may counteract different biological pathways that typically characterize cancer progression and thus impede success of cancer treatment.
One example of a herbal supplement used in this area is Equiguard which combines nine herbs: Yin Yang Huo (Herba Epimedii ), Jin Yin Zi (Fructus Rosae Laevigatae ), Fu Pen Zi (Fructus Rubi ), Bu Gu Zhi (Fructus Psoraleae ), Ba Ji Tian (Radix Morindae Officinalis ), Tu Si Zi (Semen Cusctae ), Nu Zhen Zi (Fructus Ligustri Lucidi ), Wu Wei Zi (Fructus Schisandrae ) and Huang Qi (Radix Astragali ).
According to Chinese medicinal principles, the kidney is the organ that maintains balance of the entire urological system. There are TCM dietary supplements like Equiguard that helps to restore the kidneys' yin and yang harmony, particularly for a kidney yang deficiency or a kidney qi deficiency. It is common to have occasional periods in our life where we have frequent, long, clear and colorless urine. But it usually goes back to normal after a short period of time. However, individuals will be considered as having a kidney yang deficiency or kidney qi deficiency when the above-mentioned symptoms persist for a considerable period of time.
Preliminary in vitro studies were performed to test the effect and mechanism of Equiguard to modulate prostate growth and gene expression. These studies indicate that Equiguard can significantly reduce prostate cancer cell growth, either in androgen-dependent or in androgen-independent stage, by knocking down the cell cycle due to the down regulation of retinoblastoma protein Rb and inducing apoptosis via the release of cytochrome c,increasing the expression of tumor suppressor p53, as well as suppressing androgen receptor gene expression. These findings support the interpretations of Western medicine research in prostate tumor cell development and its treatment. Hence, Equiguard may be efficacious in treating androgen-dependent and androgen-independent prostate carcinoma. However, even though Equiguard suggests promising results in prostate cancer, its traditional roots should not be ignored. Further clinical research in individuals with prostate cancer and a kidney yang deficiency needs to be added to its in vitro results.
