Study on Shenbao Tablet in Treating Kidney-yang Deficiency Syndrome-based on Metabolomics

Area of Science:

• Integrative and Complementary Medicine
• Metabolomics
• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)

Background:

• Kidney-Yang deficiency is a prevalent Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) syndrome linked to metabolic dysregulation.
• Shenbao tablets show efficacy in alleviating kidney-Yang deficiency symptoms, but their mechanism remains unclear.

Purpose of the Study:

• To elucidate the mechanism of action of Shenbao tablets in treating kidney-Yang deficiency using a metabolomics approach.

Main Methods:

• Kidney-Yang deficiency was induced in rats using hydrocortisone.
• Pharmacodynamic indicators, serum, urine, and feces were analyzed.
• Ultra-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (UPLC/MS) and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) metabolomics were employed.

Main Results:

• Shenbao tablets significantly improved the induced syndrome in rats.
• Metabolic disorders were identified, with 47 potential biomarkers detected.
• Key affected metabolic pathways included nicotinate/nicotinamide metabolism and aminoacyl tRNA biosynthesis.

Conclusions:

• Shenbao tablet's action involves regulating energy, amino acid, bile acid, and fatty acid metabolism, alongside gut microbiota.
• Metabolomics offers a powerful approach for understanding TCM syndrome theory and drug mechanisms.