Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang

Bu Zhong Yi Qi Tang (BZYQT) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula first documented in Pi Wei Lun, a 13th century Treatise on the Spleen and Stomach. Historically used to treat fatigue ⁽¹⁾ and weakness, BZYQT consists of eight herbs: Chen Pi (Citrus reticulata), Dang Gui (Angelica sinensis), Gan Cao (Glycyrrhiza uralensis), Huang Qi (Astragalus membranaceus), Sheng Ma (Cimicifuga foetida), Bai Zhu (Atractylodes macrocephala), Chai Hu(Bupleurum chinense) and Ren Shen (Panax ginseng).

In cancer settings, small studies suggest benefits of BZQYT in reducing fatigue, improving immune function, and quality of life ^{(6) (10) (16)}, reducing cachexia ⁽⁴⁾, and increasing muscle mass ⁽¹¹⁾. BZQYT is also among the commonly prescribed formulas for lung cancer patients in Taiwan ⁽¹⁷⁾.
In other studies, it improved lung function in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) ⁽¹⁵⁾, and promoted wound healing in those with diabetic or pressure ulcers ⁽⁵⁾ and chronic wounds ⁽¹⁸⁾.

Large, well-designed trials are needed to expand the evidence base.

• Cancer-related Fatigue
• Immunomodulation
• Wound Healing

BZYQT was shown to restore immunity in mice bearing B16 melanoma by normalizing hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis function, reducing corticosterone levels, and reversing stress-induced suppression of IL-12 production ⁽¹⁹⁾. In gastric cancer models, BZYQT had a synergistic effect with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to suppress PD-L1 expression via PI3K/AKT pathway inhibition while elevating CD4+/CD8+ T-cell ratios ⁽²⁾. The formula also enhanced cisplatin-induced apoptosis in HeLa cells through p53 activation and Bcl-2/Bax ratio reduction ⁽²⁾.

In addition, BZYQT reduced polyinosinic:polycytidylic acid-induced pulmonary inflammation in a murine model by lowering neutrophil infiltration and suppressing pro-inflammatory mediators, including CXCL10, TNF-alpha, and IL-6 ⁽³⁾.

Nausea and bloating were reported in clinical studies ^{(4) (6)}.

None known.