Softening hardness and resolving masses (RJSJ)

"Softening hardness and resolving masses" (Ruan Jian San Jie) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) therapeutic principle rather than a single molecular target or receptor. This classification describes the pharmacological action of substances used to treat pathological "hardness"—such as nodules, cysts, fibroids, and tumors—which are often attributed to phlegm-stagnation or blood stasis in traditional theory. Modern molecular research into therapies with this function identifies their ability to modulate the tumor microenvironment, inhibit the TGF-beta/Smad signaling pathway to reduce fibrosis, and regulate matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) to degrade the extracellular matrix. Frequently applied in the treatment of thyroid nodules, uterine leiomyomas, and various cancers, this principle is exemplified by marine-derived herbs like Sargassum and Laminaria, which are rich in polysaccharides and iodine that influence metabolic and signaling pathways. While the term provides a framework for multi-target drug discovery, it does not correspond to a specific protein or gene in the human genome.

Other names

Ruan Jian San JieSoftening and resolving hard lumpsDissipating nodulesRuanjian Sanjie

Modulation of TGF-beta/Smad and PI3K/Akt/mTOR signaling pathways, suppression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, and enzymatic degradation of the extracellular matrix through MMP regulation.