To observe the therapeutic efficacy of Danggui Buxue Decoction No.1 (当归补血汤1号

DB1) in treating patients of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) at the peri-operational stage and its impact on the patients’ immune function. Eighty-two NSCLC patients were randomly assigned to two groups equally

the control group and the test group

they were given conventional treatment

while to the test group

DB1 were given additionally. The observation was conducted by testing the changes of T-lymphocyte subsets

natural killer (NK) cell activity

serum levels of immunoglobulin (IgA

IgM

IgG)

interleukin-2 (IL-2)

tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α)

cytokeratin fragment 19 (CYFRA21-1) and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) in NSCLC patients before and after administration of DB1

and analyzing the patients’ general condition. The level of CD3+

CD4+

the ratio of CD4 and CD8+

IgA

IgM

IgG and IL-2 decreased in patients with NSCLC on day 1 after operation

and the level of CD8 and TNF-α increased compared to pre-operation. While the levels of CD3+

CD4+

CD4 /CD8+

NK cell activity

serum IgA

IgM

IgG

IL-2 began to elevate

CD8 and TNF-α levels began to decline in patients administered with DB1 on day 3 after the operation

earlier than patients who did not use the decoction. The level of CYFRA21-1 and CEA

was immediately decreased after operation in both groups. Applying DB1 to NSCLC patients at an early post-operational stage could alleviate the impairment and accelerate the recovery of immune function of patients to enhance their immunity. DB1 also shows an anti-tumor action to a certain degree.