Traditional Chinese medicine, based on theories
developed and practiced for >2,000 years, is one of the most
common complementary and alternative types of medi
‑
cine currently used in the treatment of patients with breast
cancer. Ruanjian Sanjie (RJSJ) decoction, is composed of
four herbs, including Ban xia (
Pinellia ternata
), Xia ku cao
(
Prunella
vulgaris
), Shan ci gu (
Cremastra
appendiculata
)
and Hai zao (
Sargassum
pallidum
), and has traditionally
been used for softening hard lumps and resolving hard tissue
masses. However, the active compounds and mechanisms of
action of RJSJ remain unknown. The present study demon
‑
strated the antitumor activity of RJSJ against Ehrlich ascites
carcinoma in Swiss albino mice and breast cancer xenografts
in nude mice. Notably, RJSJ does not induce body weight loss,
immune function toxicity or myelosuppression in mice, indi
‑
cating that it is safe and well tolerated. In addition, RJSJ shows
potent cytotoxicity against breast cancer cells
in vitro
by the
suppression of the anti‑apoptotic proteins B‑cell lymphoma
2 and survivin, leading to the activation of caspase‑3
/
7 and
caspase‑9, and the apoptotic cascade. These findings provide
a clear rationale to explore the therapeutic strategy of using
RJSJ alone or in combination with chemotherapeutic agents
for breast cancer patients and the characterization of its active
principles.