Integrated metabonomic-proteomic studies on blood enrichment effects of Angelica sinensis on a blood deficiency mice model.

BACKGROUND

Angelica sinensis (Oliv.) Diels (Umbelliferae) (AS) is a well-known Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that enriches and regulates the blood.

OBJECTIVE

An integrated metabonomic and proteomic method was developed and applied to study the blood enrichment effects and mechanisms of AS on blood deficiency (BD) mouse model.

METHODS

Forty mice were randomly divided into the control, BD, High-dose of AS (ASH), Middle-dose of AS (ASM), and Low-dose of AS (ASL) groups. BD model mice were established by injecting N-acetylphenylhydrazine (APH) and cyclophosphamide (CTX) (ip). The aqueous extract of AS was administered at three dose of 20, 10, or 5 g/kg b. wt. orally for 7 consecutive days before/after APH and CTX administration. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) combined with pattern recognition method and 2D gel electrophoresis (2-DE) proteomics were performed in this study to discover the underlying hematopoietic regulation mechanisms of AS on BD mouse model.

RESULTS

Unlike in the control group, the HSP90 and arginase levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the BD group, but the levels of carbonic anhydrase, GAPDH, catalase, fibrinogen, GSTP, carboxylesterase and hem binding protein in the BD group decreased significantly (p < 0.05). Unlike the levels in the BD group, the levels of these biomarkers were regulated to a normal state near the control group in the ASM group. Unlike in the control group, l-alanine, arachidonic acid, l-valine, octadecanoic acid, glycine, hexadecanoic acid, l-threonine, butanoic acid, malic acid, l-proline and propanoic acid levels increased significantly (p < 0.05) in the BD group, the levels of d-fructose in the BD group decreased significantly (p < 0.05). The relative concentrations of 12 endogenous metabolites were also significantly affected by the ASL, ASM, and ASH treatments. Notably, most of the altered BD-related metabolites were restored to normal state after ASM administration.

CONCLUSIONS

AS can promote hematopoietic activities, inhibit production of reactive oxygen species, regulate energy metabolism, increase antiapoptosis, and potentially contribute to the blood enrichment effects of AS against APH- and CTX-induced BD mice.