[Application of activity-based protein profiling technology in TCM targets: a review]

Area of Science:

• Integrative and Complementary Medicine
• Proteomics
• Drug Discovery

Background:

• Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) compounds have diverse structures and drug-like properties, but their specific targets and mechanisms remain poorly understood.
• Conventional methods struggle to systematically analyze TCM action modes under physiological conditions, hindering drug development.
• Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) has emerged as a key technology in proteomics for target identification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review the principles, workflow, and applications of ABPP in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) target research.
• To provide a comprehensive reference for developing activity-based probes and enriching target proteins for TCM research.
• To facilitate deeper understanding of TCM active ingredient targets and mechanisms, accelerating modernization and new drug discovery.

Main Methods:

• Elaboration of the fundamental principles and detailed workflow of Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) technology.
• Summary of various probe types and their functions within the ABPP framework.
• Review of recent advancements in applying ABPP for identifying targets of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) compounds.

Main Results:

• Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) is presented as a mature and effective technology for studying Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) targets.
• The review details probe construction, labeling strategies, and target protein enrichment techniques crucial for ABPP implementation in TCM research.
• Progress in utilizing ABPP for elucidating TCM action mechanisms and identifying active ingredients is highlighted.

Conclusions:

• Activity-based protein profiling (ABPP) provides a robust platform for advancing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) research by systematically identifying drug targets.
• This technology is instrumental in elucidating complex mechanisms of action for TCM compounds.
• Successful application of ABPP will accelerate the modernization of TCM and the development of novel therapeutics.