Strengthening the spleen and removing dampness

"Strengthening the spleen and removing dampness" is a fundamental therapeutic principle in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) rather than a specific molecular target like a protein or receptor. In the TCM framework, the "Spleen" represents a functional system responsible for the digestion, absorption, and distribution of nutrients and fluids; "dampness" is a pathological state resulting from the Spleen's failure to transport fluids effectively. This principle is applied to treat syndromes characterized by digestive dysfunction, fatigue, and fluid retention, often using multi-herbal formulas such as Shenling Baizhu San. While modern pharmacological research has attempted to map this effect to biological pathways—such as the regulation of aquaporins, modulation of the gut-liver axis, and adjustment of the gut microbiota—it remains a holistic treatment strategy. Therefore, it is categorized as an "incorrect" target entry in the context of molecular drug discovery, as it describes a clinical outcome or method of action for complex mixtures rather than a single druggable molecule.

Other names

Jianpi QushiTonifying the spleen and resolving dampnessStrengthening the spleen and eliminating dampnessJian Pi Qu Shi

Involves multi-target regulation of the digestive and metabolic systems, including the enhancement of Spleen transport and transformation functions, regulation of aquaporins (AQPs) for fluid balance, and restoration of gut microbial homeostasis.