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

Traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) active compounds possess unique structural diversity and drug-like properties. However, elucidating their specific targets and mechanisms of action remains challenging. Traditional methods have limitations in systematically analyzing their true modes of action under physiological conditions, which constrains their application and development in new drug research and development. Activity-based protein profiling(ABPP) technology is an interdisciplinary approach integrating organic chemistry, proteomics, and bioinformatics, and has become a powerful tool in proteomics research. With technological advancements, ABPP has evolved into a relatively mature method for studying the targets of TCM. This article systematically elaborates the fundamental principles and detailed workflow of ABPP technology, summarizes the types and functions of probe groups used in ABPP, and reviews the progress of this technology in target research for TCM. It provides a systematic reference for the construction and labeling of activity-based probes and the enrichment of target proteins, aiming to facilitate in-depth research on the action targets of active ingredients in TCM, elucidate their mechanisms of action, optimize drug development processes, enhance the modernization of TCM, and accelerate the development of new drugs based on TCM.