Evaluating the Mechanism of a Traditional Herbal Syrup for Anemia Treatment Using Liver Metabolomics

As a well-known Uyghur medicine, Shi-Liu-Bu-Xue Syrup (SLBXS) has been widely used to treat anemia in China for over 20 years. However, the underlying mechanisms of its effectiveness in treating anemia remain unclear. In this study, liver metabolomics was primarily employed to determine the potential regulatory mechanisms of SLBXS in treating anemia. Liver metabolomics profiling was conducted to characterize the mechanism of action of SLBXS in an acetylphenylhydrazine-induced mouse model of anemia. SLBXS was shown to decrease liver index, white blood cell count, and platelet count, while increasing red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels. Core targets were selected for verification using Western blotting. SLBXS demonstrated a significant therapeutic effect on anemia primarily by regulating galactose metabolism and the HIF-1 signaling pathway, as indicated by the downregulation of HIF-1α, NOS3, VEGFA, and GLA proteins in the liver tissues of anemic mice. This study clarifies the potential regulatory mechanisms of hepatic metabolism by SLBXS administration in treating anemia.