Application of Proteomics in Traditional Chinese Medicine Research

Proteomic method (two-dimensional electrophoresis and MS/MS) was used in studying the mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) including Ganoderma lucidum, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Panax notoginseng and toad venom. For example, the effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza, a TCM popularly used for treating cardiovascular diseases, on the protein expression profiles of platelets, cardiomyocytes and heart tissues were checked. The results indicated that salvianolic acids from Salvia miltiorrhiza could inhibit the aggregation and adhesion of platelets, migration of cardiomyocytes and could protect cardiomyocytes from ischemia-reperfusion injury both in vitro and in vivo. The effects of salvianolic acids might be based on regulation of expression of proteins related to calcium ion binding, cell skeleton structure, elimination of reactive oxygen species, response to stress, etc. Furthermore, combined effects of salvianolic acids and notoginsengnosides, a TCM formula were also studied. The proteomic results showed that, in adjusting the un-normal protein expression profiles caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury back to normal, Fufang had better effect than either salvianolic acids or notoginsengnosides. Our results indicated the usefulness of proteomic technology in TCM research.