Label-free Quantitative Proteomics for Investigating the Therapeutic Mechanism of Sijunzi Decoction on Spleen Deficiency Syndrome

Background: Sijunzi decoction is a traditional Chinese medicine prescription which is used to treat spleen deficiency syndrome. But the therapeutic mechanism of Sijunzi decoction on spleen deficiency syndrome is unclear. Methods: A rat model of reserpine-induced spleen deficiency syndrome was established. The therapeutic effects of Sijunzi decoction were assessed by histopathological examination and enzyme activity analysis. A label-free proteomics method was used to assess the changes in the endogenous protein. The differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were analyzed using bioinformatics methods. Western blot was used to validate the proteomic data. Results: Sijunzi decoction could significantly restore damaged liver tissue and enzymatic activities. DEPs of Sijunzi decoction-intervened spleen deficiency syndrome mainly regulated various metabolic processes involved in cellular responses to enzyme activity for catalysing, transforming and transferring. The four pathways (bile secretion, pyruvate metabolism, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and fatty acid metabolism) might be closely related with the intervention mechanism of Sijunzi decoction. Protein H2afx, interferon stimulated gene 15 protein, and signal transducers and activators of transcription1 proteins were predicted to play the important roles in Sijunzi decoction action networks. Conclusions : Sijunzi decoction could exert intervention action by restoring DEPs involved in potential target pathways. Current results wish to provide novel perspectives for revealing the potential protein targets of Sijunzi decoction on spleen deficiency syndrome and facilitating its clinical usage.