Abstract
High-throughput metabolomics can be used to investigate the therapeutic targets and metabolic mechanisms of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formulae, which have multiple targets in disease therapy, but it is a great challenge to explore their mechanism of action. Huaxian capsule (HXC) is a classical formula in TCM that has therapeutic effects on a sepsis-associated Qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome (SQBS). However, its targets and metabolic mechanisms need more investigation. To investigate the therapeutic effects of HXC in the treatment of SQBS and elucidate the potential mechanism, we used a high-throughput metabolomics strategy based on the ultraperformance liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry combined with chemometrics to analyze and identify differential metabolites and pathways. The pathological examination of organs and biochemical indices was also performed to verify the successful establishment of the rat model and protective effects of HXC. Pathological symptoms and biochemical indicators of SQBS rats were reversed by the HXC treatment. A total of 24 potential biomarkers were identified to indicate the difference between the control and model groups; they were closely associated with ten metabolic pathways and regulated by the HXC administration. From the pathway analysis, we further understood the protective activity of HXC against SQBS, which affected amino acid metabolism, molecular transport, small molecule biochemistry and cell signaling as well as vitamin and mineral metabolism. In conclusion, HXC protects against SQBS by modulating the metabolic biomarkers and functional pathways.