Bufogenin contained in chan su had cardiotonic effect which is similar to digitalis but without cumulative effect.

After a short period of blood pressure lowering effect, chan su could elevate the blood pressure. Bufogenin could significantly excite the respiration and could regulate abnormal breath.

chan su could significantly excite the cerebral cortex, prolong the sleeping time of chloral hydrate, elevate threshold of pain and have analgesic effects.

chan su and its ingredients had local anaesthesia effect.

chan su and its various ingredients could inhibit the increase of vascular permeability induced by acetic acid stimulation. Intramuscular injection of extract of fresh secretions of toad or total water soluble ingredients of chan su could prevent the spread of focus and promote the dissipation of surrounding redness and swelling in rabbits with local infections caused by streptococcus A and staphylococcus aureus.

chan su preparations combining chemotherapy and radiotherapy for the treatment of various cancers could prevent leucopenia caused by chemotherapy or radiotherapy, and could restore decreased WBC.

Bufotoxin lactones had significant inhibitory effect on S180 in mice and B.P. tumor in rabbits. It showed strong inhibitory effect on leukaemia in vitro. It could prolong the survival time of mice with spermatocytoma and liver cancer of ascitic type.

shan chu could contract coronary artery, decrease the blood flow volume in the coronary artery, increase the contraction amplitude and frequency of intestinal canal smooth muscles. Bufogenin could excite striated muscle.

Liver cancer: hua chan su, intramuscular injection, 4ml bid, or 20ml hua chan su mixed with 10% glucose 500ml for intravenous drip, once daily. 69 cases of liver cancer were treated, 2 markedly effective, 34 effective and 33 ineffective. The total effective rate was 52.1%.

Carcinoma of esophagus and cardia: 30 cases of carcinoma of esophagus and cardia were treated with water solution of chan su, 2ml, tid after operation. The 1-year and 2-year survival rates were both higher than those treated with operation only.

Stomach cancer: Toad Skin Injection 30ml was added in 5% glucose 250ml for intravenous drip, once daily for 7 continuous days with an interval of 3 days. 6 circles as a course of treatment. Quit the drug for 2 months and then start the treatment again. Other therapies could be combined. 10 cases of stomach cancer were treated, 2 cases had decreased tumor, 2 improved, and 6 no change but with obvious improved symptoms.

Skin cancer: chuan su 10g were grounded into fine powder and soaked into 30ml physiological saline solution for 10~48 hours. After chan su became pasty, it was mixed with sulfanilamide ointment. The ointment was applied evenly to the affected area. 40 cases were treated, and in 19 cases, the cancer disappeared. The effective rate was 47.5%, and 5-year curative rate was 22.5%.

Breast cancer: Cinobufacin Injection for intramuscular injection, 4ml, tid, 2 months as a course of treatment. 23 cases of breast cancer were treated, and 1 cured, 6 markedly effective, 11 effective and 5 ineffective. The total effective rate was 78%.

Leukemia: 15 pieces of can su weighting 125mg each was prepared to treat leukemia. The treatment was applied consecutively till the symptoms relieved, then 15 days' treatment with 15 days' interval. No other anti-leukemia drugs were used during the treatment, but anti-inflammatory treatment or blood transfusion could be applied. Among 32 treated cases, 8 were completely alleviated, and 24 were basically alleviated.

Pulmonary tuberculosis: Injection made from total water soluble ingredients of chan su was used to treat pulmonary tuberculosis. 20mg~40mg daily, being used in 1~2 times' intramuscular injection. 3 months as a course of treatment. 54 cases were treated, the effective rates of 1, 2 and 3 courses were 68.5%, 72.3% and 72.2% respectively, and the markedly effective rates were 24.1%, 42.6% and 61.1%.

1% Chan Su Tincture was applied externally, 2~3 times daily. 8 cases of neurodermatitis were treated and the effect was significant.

Complex Chan Su Pill (chan su 2g, ming fan 60g, xiong huang 60g, huang lian 25g). 2~3 pills, tid. 159 cases of acute pharyngitis were treated, and 94 were cured, 44 effective, the total effective rate was 86.7%.

Except those noted, all references come from Weng Weiliang, et al., Clinical Chinese materia medica, Henan Science & Technology Press, 1998