Open Access

ARTICLE

Proteomics analysis provides novel biomarkers and therapeutic target candidates in the treatment of the Huang-Pu-Tong-Qiao formula in an AD rat model

by QIAN CHEN^1,#, XIN LEI^1,#, GUANHUA HU^1,#, YAN WANG², ZHENGQING FANG¹, GUOQUAN WANG¹, HANG SONG¹, SHU YE^1,*, BIAO CAI^1,*

1 School of Integrated Chinese and Western Medicine, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China
2 Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Chinese Medicinal Formula, Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, Hefei, 230012, China

* Corresponding Authors: SHU YE. Email: ; BIAO CAI. Email:
# Qian Chen, Xin Lei and Guanhua Hu contributed equally to this work

(This article belongs to the Special Issue: Bioinformatics Study of Diseases)

BIOCELL 2023, 47(6), 1265-1277. https://doi.org/10.32604/biocell.2023.028811

Received 09 January 2023; Accepted 09 March 2023; Issue published 19 May 2023

Abstract

Background: Huang-Pu-Tong-Qiao formula (HPTQ), a traditional Chinese herbal formula, has a variety of pharmacological effects. It has been used to treat Alzheimer’s disease (AD) for decades. This study aimed to screen differentially expressed proteins in the hippocampus of AD model rats treated with HPTQ. Proteomic studies of the effects of HPTQ on AD are key to understanding the therapeutic mechanisms of HPTQ and identifying potential therapeutic targets. Methods: We hence used the isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantification (ITRAQ) approach to investigate the differentially expressed proteins in the hippocampus of AD model rats before and after HPTQ administration and to identify the potential therapeutic target proteins of HPTQ. In this study, the learning and memory abilities of AD rats were examined by the Morris water maze test. After HPTQ administration, the differentially expressed proteins in the hippocampus of AD rats were quantified and analyzed in silico. Furthermore, western blotting was used to verify the expression of related proteins. Results: The Morris water maze results showed that HPTQ could improve the learning and memory ability of AD model rats. The proteomics analysis results showed that 57 proteins were differentially expressed, of which 35 were up-regulated and 22 were down-regulated. Bioinformatics analysis indicated that proteins with altered expression after HPTQ treatment were involved in several biological processes that have the potential to exert neuroprotective effects. These included promoting the translation of ribosomes, improving the deposition of amyloid-beta (Aβ), regulating autophagy, regulating neuronal synaptic function and plasticity, and alleviating oxidative stress. Conclusion: In conclusion, we identified several potential therapeutic target proteins and related mechanistic pathways of HPTQ in the treatment of AD, laying the foundation for further investigation of the therapeutic effects of HPTQ.

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