According to folklore, people often drink the decoction of Crinum latifolium L. leaves to treat benign and malignant tumors such as uterine fibroids, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), breast tumor, ovarian cysts, liver tumor and so on. In order to have scientific basis to prove the capability of treating BPH and uterine fibroids, Pharmacist - Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram, along with her colleagues in Vietnam and foreign countries has researched this plant for 15 years since 1990. It was not until 2005 that Crila medicine was allowed for nationwide circulation with the indication for BPH and uterine fibroids based on the results of clinical studies according to Regulation 371 of the Ministry of Health conducted in hospitals including Institute of Gerontology, National Hospital of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National Hospital of Traditional Medicine, HCMC Hospital of Traditional Medicine, and Tu Du Hospital. Clinical results showed that Crila’s treatment efficacy on BPH reaches 89.18% and 79.5% on uterine fibroids. Since the birth of Crila, it has been used and trusted by patients due to its high treatment efficacy without side effects. Crila is the first medicine from Vietnamese herbs to treat uterine fibroids.

However, Dr. Tram always harbors a dream to continue studying to find a group of bioactive compounds from Vietnamese Crinum latifolium L. supporting cancer treatment. Through many years of research, Dr. Tram has isolated alkaloid and flavonoid fractions from Crinum latifolium L. and conducted screening research and evaluation of biological effects through Protocol between Vietnam and Bulgarian Academy of Science with the participation of the University of Innsbruck (Austria) and Vietnamese Institute of Science and Technology. The study results have demonstrated Crila has antioxidant effects and indirect immune-enhancing ability against tumors or direct cytotoxic effects on cancer cell lines in vitro and in vivo. H1 fraction has mitogenic effect as Con-A. C1, C2, C3, H1 fractions have effects on enhancing immune system through increasing ratio of kynurenine/tryptophan and neopterin secretion in cultured human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. With regard to antioxidant effect, total alkaloid C = C1 + C2 + C3 can surround free radicals with antioxidant activity.

To promptly help cancer patients and prevent metastasis after radiotherapy and chemotherapy, from the above study results, Dr. Tram has introduced Crilin supplement and Crinum latifolium L. teabag. The advent of Crilin has helped patients to get good progress in the treatment of cancer. Therefore, cancer-bearing patients used Crilin to support cancer treatment such as prostate cancer, cervical cancer, breast cancer, brain cancer, bone cancer and so on. This demonstrates that Vietnamese Crinum latifolium L. has the real ability to support cancer treatment.

The case of Mrs. L.T.B, 55, at Noi Town, Ban Yen Nhan, Hung Yen: her bone and hands are too ached to move. In July 2008, major hospitals in Hanoi (Bach Mai Hospital, 108 Hospital, K Hospital) conducted tests and concluded that she had bone cancer. The hospital returned her home and prescribed her painkiller and tonic. She and her family were very worried. Accidentally, she saw a TV program “health is gold” introducing Crilin. She used Crilin over a year, her health got better, her hands and feet were less painful. Up to now, she can move easily. Mr. N.M.D, 67 years old in Van Sa, Van Vo, Chuong My, Hanoi has a 3cm x 2.5 cm tumor in the left temple. Hospital K did cytology examination and concluded that he lacked left skull bone, temples invaded surrounding software so that tumor, along with cancer cell (sarcoma) was formed. By chance, he knew about Crilin, then tried to contact Dr. Tram to ask for advice. Taking Crilin under the guidance of Dr. Tram, after 17 days with 240 capsules, his temporal tumor decreased significantly. Then, he continued taking Crilin in the next 6 days (60 capsules), that tumor disappeared, but he continued taking Crilin in the next 50 days. On May 4, 2011 K Hospital rechecked with the result: no injured image in left temporal area was seen, bank of missing shape was compact, and no injury invading around was seen.

The letter written on November 13, 2011 by Mrs. T.T.K.H in District 7, HCM city who has surgically removed breast tumor, poor health status and high risk of recurrence. Mrs. H has long used Crilin (15-20 capsules/day). Her health got better. In the case of her daughter – Mrs. T.Q.C, who had had a 4-month pregnancy but then that fetus was stillborn. Taking specialized test, she knew that fetus was damaged because there was a 4mm x 6mm tumor growing in fetus. Doctors prescribed her to take laparoscopy. But while removing tumor, doctors discovered that it had a complex structure so they just cut 1/3 of tumors and treated with injection of 3.6 mg Zoladex consecutively in 4 months. However, up to nearly one month, she heard about Crilin. Instructed directly by Pharmacist - Dr. Tram, she used Crilin and Crila. After 2 months of taking them, she took ultrasonic inspection and realized that there was no longer tumor in her womb, her health was also improved at the same time. Mrs. T.T.L, who having both ovarian tumors and uterine fibroids, after taking Crilin and Crila, got good effect.

Many patients sent letters to Pharmacist - Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram to tell meticulously the process of taking Crila, Crilin and Crinum latifolium L. teabag. With each patient, the process of reducing tumor or recovering from disease was different. Mrs. Tram was happy that actual results coincide with the study ones. She said that upcoming Crilin will be experienced clinical trials on thousands of cancer-bearing patients in major hospitals and then proceeded to be tested extensively in hospitals throughout Vietnam in accordance with the regulation of the Ministry of Health. In 2012, Pharmacist - Dr. Nguyen Thi Ngoc Tram will be allowed to have Thien Hoang Sa capsule experienced clinical trials by the Ministry of Health. It is the product of the project entitled "Preclinical study on Thien Hoang Sa capsule extracted from Vietnamese medicinal material to treat hemorrhoids" mastered by Dr. Tram.

D.H