A Comparative Proteomic Study To Identify Synergistic Effects Of Active Components From QI-SHEN-YI-QI Formula

QI-SHEN-YI-QI formula(QSYQ),made from Panax notoginseng,Radix Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge,Radix Astragalus membranaceus Bge and Dalbergia odorifera T.Chen, is an traditional Chinese prescription for treating 'Qi-deficiency,blood stasis' coronary heart disease in China.This herbal remedy exerts remarkable therapeutical efficacy in clinical,however reliable scientific evidences are still too rare to elucidate the veracity and safety of it.To improve the understanding of the molecular processes and mechanisms afford by QSYQ and its components,the proteomics technology was used as a main research tool on both animal and cell levels.Firstly,two-dimensional electrophoresis(2DE) with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry(MALDI-MS) was used to study differential protein profiles of myocardium during the acute ischemia period after the treatment of QSYQ,and it was suggested the molecular mechanism of energy metabolism improvements and injured cell protections.Compared the protein profiles with treatment of QSYQ and effective components(saponins from Radix Astragalus membranaceus,phenolic acids from Salvia miltiorrhiza,ginsenosides from Radix Panax notoginseng,and essential oils from Dalbergia sissoo) in comparative proteomic approach,a contribution index was proposed to reflect how much contribution of individual agent on protein expression response to the overall prescription.It basically revealed the anti-ischemic mechanism of QSYQ effective components,and provided a new method to explain the modern biology meaning of action mechanism of Chinese prescription from the molecular level.Secondly,suitable proteomic analysis methods was established by optimizing 2DE conditions,and applied to proteomics research of promoting proliferation of human umbilical vein endothelial cell(HUVEC) with QSYQ treatment.It preliminarily illustrated the QSYQ-related proliferation mechanism from the protein level,and initially approached the synergistic effects of effective components in this formula,with the different protein expressions in single treatments.In this paper,comparative proteomic approach was firstly used for the mechanism study of QSYQ and effective components.Then,a contribution index was proposed for inducting the synergistic effects of the formula.The finding suggested comparative proteomic approach can be a useful tool to identify potential targets of Chinese prescription and illustrate the mechanisms of action of drug synergistic effects.