The concept of food and medicine homology is rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, which emphasizes the significance of substances having both nutritional and therapeutic capabilities. According to these characteristics, food and medicine homology substances may offer an innovative way of treating diseases. Cancer, a global disease with high mortality rates, poses considerable hurdles due to the severe toxic side effects of chemotherapy, which significantly reduce patient quality of life. As a result, there is an urgent need to investigate cancer treatments that have low toxicity and side effects. The use of food and medicine homology substances in cancer prevention and treatment has introduced promising prospects in this domain. Resveratrol, a compound derived from edible plants, exhibits significant anti-tumor action while being less toxic and causing fewer adverse effects. This review describes the use of resveratrol in treating gastrointestinal tumors and emphasizes the significance of food and medicine homologous compounds in tumor disease research. The effect and molecular mechanism of resveratrol to inhibit esophageal, gastric, pancreatic, liver, and colorectal cancer is emphasized. Several significant clinical trials of resveratrol targeting gastrointestinal cancers were also incorporated. This review delineates the current status and future potential of food and medicine homology in tumor diseases.

Cancer remains a formidable global health burden, with conventional chemotherapy often limited by factors such as systemic toxicity, drug resistance, and challenges related to patient adherence. In this context, food and medicine homology (FMH) substances, rooted in the principles of Traditional Chinese Medicine, offer a distinctive therapeutic paradigm by integrating pharmacological efficacy with nutritional value. Defined by their low toxicity and suitability for long-term use, these substances present a compelling avenue for the development of safer and more integrative oncology strategies. This review provides the first systematic and comprehensive analysis of the role of these substances across the full spectrum of pan-cancer management, encompassing tumor prevention, adjunctive therapy, and postoperative nutritional support. At the mechanistic level, we elucidate their pleiotropic modes of action, including antioxidant activity through free radical scavenging and metal chelation, anti-inflammatory effects via modulation of key signaling pathways, immune enhancement, and direct antitumor activities. In addition, these substances function as effective adjuvants to chemotherapy and radiotherapy, enhancing therapeutic efficacy, reducing adverse effects, and helping to overcome drug resistance. By integrating molecular evidence, preclinical findings, and emerging clinical insights, this review bridges traditional knowledge with contemporary science, thereby laying a solid foundation for the clinical translation of these substances. It not only fills a critical gap in the systematic understanding of their application across diverse cancer types but also outlines a comprehensive framework for the development of safer and more effective integrative oncology strategies.

Gallbladder cancer (GBC) is a highly lethal solid tumor, with primary treatment modalities encompassing surgery and chemotherapy. Unfortunately, the quality of life for patients is markedly diminished due to the toxicity and adverse effects of conventional pharmacological treatments. Consequently, exploring low-toxicity therapeutic alternative strategies for GBC is crucial. The concept of food and medicine homology, rooted in traditional Chinese medicine, underscores the dual role of certain substances in providing nutritional benefits and therapeutic efficacy in disease management. This dual function offers promising prospects for the development of low-toxicity therapies for GBC. Citri Grandis Exocarpium (CGE, Huajuhong in Chinese), a food and medicine homology species, is promising in anti-tumor research. Investigating its potential anti-GBC effect and elucidating its underlying mechanism is crucial. This study employed network pharmacology and molecular docking to identify active compounds and potential targets involved in CGE against GBC, laying the groundwork for exploring the application of food and medicine homology substances in tumor therapy. Furthermore, the efficacy of CGE on GBC in vitro has been demonstrated through using CCK-8 and wound healing assays.