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    Yemama Apothecary

    Bencao Gangmu Reference Library

    Heat-Clearing, Phlegm-Transforming & Sovereign Anti-Neoplastic Monarch (清热解毒 / 平喘止咳通乳下气抗癌消癥瘕散结 — 抗癌化瘤第一藤药 / 现代抗癌国药消癌平原料)

    通光藤 / 乌骨藤 / 苦藤 / 大洋藤 / 通光散 — Marsdenia tenacissima (Roxb.) Moon (syn. Asclepias tenacissima)

    Pinyin: Tōngguāngténg / Wūgǔténg / Kǔténg · Malay: Akar Tali Hutan / Tali Rami Hutan / Wuguteng · Family: Apocynaceae (夹竹桃科 / 萝藦科)

    Botanical Illustration

    Energetics

    Cool to Neutral (微寒 / 平)

    Flavor

    Bitter, slightly sweet, astringent (苦、微甘、涩)

    Meridians

    Lung (肺), Liver (肝), Stomach (胃), Large Intestine (大肠)

    Traditional Edict

    Light-Passing Vine (Tong Guang Teng / Wu Gu Teng / Xiaoaiping). Porous stems transmit sunlight. Supreme Anti-Cancer Monarch that dissolves solid malignant tumors, reverses chemotherapeutic multidrug resistance, calms asthma, unblocks milk.

    Cautions & Contraindications

    • DECOCTION TIME MANDATE: Always boil woody discs for at least 30-45 minutes to extract dense steroidal glycosides. CONTRAINDICATED during active pregnancy (anti-angiogenic dynamics). High clinical safety in oncology regimens.

    Clinical Applications

    • Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), esophageal carcinoma (alleviating dysphagia), gastric and colorectal adenocarcinoma, hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), chronic bronchial asthma, COPD, and chemotherapy MDR reversal.

    Quality Markers

    Tenacissosides A-K (Polyoxypregnanes) >= 1.50% & Tenacigenin B >= 0.50% (Chinese Pharmacopoeia standard)

    Mechanism & Phytochemistry

    1. Tenacissoside polyoxypregnanes bind P-glycoprotein (P-gp / MDR1) efflux pumps, restoring cytotoxic drug accumulation in chemoresistant cells. 2. Triggers MOMP, Caspase-3/9 cleavage, and downregulates EGFR/VEGFR2 angiogenesis. 3. Tracheal b2-bronchodilation.

    Preparation & Dosage

    THE SOVEREIGN ONCOLOGY TONIC DECOCTION (Wuguteng Xiaoliu Tang): 20 to 30 g dried sliced woody stem discs simmered in 800 mL water for 45 min; taken in 2 divided doses daily for tumors. Standardized Xiaoaiping Syrup: 10-20 mL three times daily.

    Appended Prescriptions

    • 1. The Sovereign Pulmonary Oncology Synergy with Hedyotis diffusa (Bai Hua She She Cao) and Scutellaria barbata. 2. Esophageal Carcinoma & Dysphagia Formula with Curcuma aeruginosa (Temu Hitam).

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    Yemama Apothecary · Petaling Jaya, Malaysia · For educational and clinical reference only