Herbal shield protecting healthy lungs from cancer, symbolizing the immunomodulatory effects of APS and PSP.

Lung Cancer Breakthrough: Can This Herbal Formula Boost Immunity and Fight Tumors?

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Samir D’Costa in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 5 min read.

"Discover how a traditional Chinese medicine-inspired blend of Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS) and Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) could revolutionize lung cancer treatment by enhancing immunity and suppressing tumor growth."


Lung cancer remains a significant global health challenge, demanding innovative therapeutic strategies. While conventional treatments like chemotherapy and radiation play a crucial role, researchers are increasingly exploring complementary approaches to improve patient outcomes and quality of life. One promising area of investigation lies in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), where herbal remedies have been used for centuries to promote health and well-being.

Among the diverse array of TCM therapies, Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS) and Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) have garnered attention for their potential immunomodulatory and anti-tumor properties. APS, derived from Astragalus mongholicus, and PSP, a protein-bound polysaccharide extracted from cultivated mycelia, have individually demonstrated promising effects in preclinical studies. Now, researchers are exploring the combined power of these two compounds in a synergistic herbal formula.

This article delves into a recent study investigating the immunomodulatory and anti-tumor effects of a combined APS and PSP herbal formula in mice with lung cancer. By examining the impact of this formula on immune parameters, tumor growth, and overall health, we aim to shed light on its potential as a complementary therapy for lung cancer and explore the implications for future research and clinical applications.

APS and PSP: A Dynamic Duo for Lung Cancer Treatment?

Herbal shield protecting healthy lungs from cancer, symbolizing the immunomodulatory effects of APS and PSP.

The study, published in the International Journal of Biological Macromolecules, investigated the effects of an herbal formula combining APS and PSP on mice with lung cancer. The researchers aimed to determine if this formula could enhance the immune system's ability to fight cancer and directly inhibit tumor growth.

Researchers divided mice into several groups like normal Saline group, PSP + APS herbal formula group, blank and ADM groups, administering the herbal formula orally for 25 days. They then meticulously monitored various immune parameters and tumor-related indicators to assess the effectiveness of the treatment. Key findings included:

  • Improved Immune Function: The herbal formula significantly increased white blood cell (WBC) counts, indicating a boosted immune response. It also enhanced thymus and spleen indices, crucial organs for immune function.
  • Enhanced Immune Cell Activity: The formula increased the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T cells, critical for coordinating immune responses against cancer.
  • Modulated Cytokine Levels: The herbal blend upregulated key Th1 cytokines (IL-2, TNF, IFN-γ) and IL-17A, known for their roles in anti-tumor immunity, while reducing levels of IL-10, a cytokine associated with immune suppression in cancer.
  • Tumor Growth Inhibition: The PSP+APS formula demonstrated a comparable tumor-inhibiting effect to the chemotherapy drug ADM, suggesting a direct anti-cancer activity.
In essence, the study suggests that the APS and PSP herbal formula acts on multiple fronts: supercharging the immune system to recognize and attack cancer cells, and directly hindering tumor growth. This dual action holds promise for a more effective and less toxic approach to lung cancer therapy.

The Future of Lung Cancer Treatment: A Blend of Tradition and Science?

This study offers a compelling glimpse into the potential of herbal formulas like APS and PSP as complementary therapies for lung cancer. By modulating the immune system and directly targeting tumor growth, this approach could offer a more holistic and personalized treatment strategy.

While these findings are encouraging, it's crucial to acknowledge that this research was conducted on mice. Further studies are needed to confirm the safety and efficacy of this herbal formula in humans. Clinical trials are essential to determine the optimal dosage, administration method, and potential interactions with conventional cancer treatments.

The integration of traditional medicine with modern scientific research holds immense promise for advancing cancer care. As we continue to unravel the complex interplay between the immune system and cancer, herbal formulas like APS and PSP may pave the way for more effective and less debilitating treatments, ultimately improving the lives of those affected by lung cancer.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2017.08.054, Alternate LINK

Title: Immunomodulatory Effects Of Herbal Formula Of Astragalus Polysaccharide (Aps) And Polysaccharopeptide (Psp) In Mice With Lung Cancer

Subject: Molecular Biology

Journal: International Journal of Biological Macromolecules

Publisher: Elsevier BV

Authors: Xing Zhou, Zijing Liu, Tingting Long, Lijng Zhou, Yixi Bao

Published: 2018-01-01

Everything You Need To Know

1

What exactly are Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS) and Polysaccharopeptide (PSP)?

Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS) is derived from Astragalus mongholicus, while Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) is a protein-bound polysaccharide extracted from cultivated mycelia. Both have shown potential in preclinical studies for their immunomodulatory and anti-tumor properties, leading to research into their combined use.

2

How does the herbal formula combining Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS) and Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) work to fight lung cancer?

The herbal formula combining Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS) and Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) appears to work by both boosting the immune system and directly inhibiting tumor growth. Specifically, it increases white blood cell counts, enhances the activity of key immune cells, modulates cytokine levels to favor anti-tumor immunity, and demonstrates a tumor-inhibiting effect comparable to a chemotherapy drug in the study.

3

How does the APS and PSP herbal formula affect the immune system's response to cancer cells?

The study showed that the APS and PSP formula increased the ratio of CD4+ to CD8+ T cells, which are crucial for coordinating immune responses against cancer. Additionally, it upregulated Th1 cytokines (IL-2, TNF, IFN-γ) and IL-17A, which are known for their roles in anti-tumor immunity, while reducing levels of IL-10, a cytokine associated with immune suppression in cancer.

4

Is the APS and PSP herbal formula intended to replace chemotherapy or other conventional treatments for lung cancer?

While the research indicates that the APS and PSP formula shows comparable tumor-inhibiting effects to the chemotherapy drug ADM in mice, it's important to note that this is a preclinical study. The formula is being investigated as a complementary therapy, and is not intended to replace chemotherapy or other conventional treatments. Further clinical trials are needed to determine its efficacy and safety in humans alongside or in conjunction with existing treatments.

5

What are the broader implications of these findings for the future of lung cancer treatment and personalized medicine?

The findings suggest a potential for personalized treatment strategies that integrate traditional herbal medicine with conventional approaches. By understanding how compounds like Astragalus Polysaccharide (APS) and Polysaccharopeptide (PSP) modulate the immune system and directly target tumors, future treatments could be tailored to an individual's specific immune profile and tumor characteristics, potentially leading to more effective and less toxic outcomes. This may involve using these compounds in conjunction with or following conventional treatments to enhance immune function and prevent recurrence. More research is needed to fully explore these possibilities.

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