Herbal Help for Breast Cancer

• Chemo Help
• Clinical Evidence
• Safety Caution

Research shows that astragalus could help fight breast cancer. Lab and animal studies suggest some of the ways it works:

• Regulating the immune system response to tumor cells. ⁸¹
• Reducing chemoresistance. ¹⁵⁴
• Stimulating production of proteins that kill cancer cells. ¹⁵⁵

In one study, mice with breast cancer tumors were treated with one of 3 solutions: ⁸¹

• Astragalus (given in an oral solution).
• A chemotherapy drug used for breast cancer (given by injection).
• An inactive saline solution.

Results showed that only astragalus and chemotherapy significantly decreased tumor weight and increased tumor cell death. Further tests revealed astragalus boosted production of some proteins secreted by immune system cells while suppressing others. ⁸¹

Astragalus Fights Resistance to Chemotherapy

Taxol is a common chemotherapy drug for breast cancer, but breast cancer can become resistant to the treatment. Researchers have found that Taxol increases the production of a protein that causes breast cancer cells to be resistant to the drug's effects. Lab tests show that a compound in astragalus reverses the increased levels of this protein and increases the effectiveness of Taxol. ¹⁵⁴

Taxol is a common chemotherapy drug for breast cancer, but breast cancer can become resistant to the treatment. Researchers have found that Taxol increases the production of a protein that causes breast cancer cells to be resistant to the drug's effects. Lab tests show that a compound in astragalus reverses the increased levels of this protein and increases the effectiveness of Taxol. ¹⁵⁶

Clinical Evidence of Benefit

Astragalus proved to be helpful in a study involving 119 patients with advanced stages of breast cancer. An herbal formula made with astragalus or a placebo was added to the patient treatment plans. Results showed improved survival in those patients who received the astragalus formula. A second clinical study showed that astragalus in combination with another Chinese herb can help combat fatigue, declining blood cell counts, and liver toxicity caused by chemotherapy. ²³

Warning: Take Care Using Individual Astragalus Compounds

Study results on formononetin, a compound found in astragalus roots and other herbs, have yielded contradictory results. Research shows that the compound has effects against cancer, including brain tumor cells, breast cancer, cervical cancer, and ovarian cancer. ^{6, 148, 157}

However, other studies show that formononetin may also stimulate growth in certain types of cancer because of its estrogen-like properties. Some studies indicate that the compound promotes the growth of estrogen-positive cancer cells. ¹⁵⁸