title: A system biology approach to understanding the molecular mechanisms of Gubentongluo decoction acting on IgA Nephropathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been widely used in treating various diseases in eastern Asia for several thousand years, and is becoming increasingly popular in western countries. Gubentongluo (GBTL) decoction, as a classic TCM formula, is commonly applied to treat IgA Nephropathy (IgAN) in China. To date, however, the pharmacological/molecular mechanisms of GBTL have not been fully elucidated.
  
  
  METHODS
  In the present study, we used a system biological approach to explore these mechanisms acting on IgAN.
  
  
  RESULTS
  First, we found 3876 potential target proteins for GBTL (based on TCMID) and 25 known IgAN associated biomarkers (based on the OMIM or IPA database).16 of the latter biomarkers were direct targets of 6 of the 9 herbs in GBTL, suggesting that these components play a vital role in treating IgAN. Second, we showed that these 6 herbs mainly regulate the immune system and renin-angiotensin system, imbalance in which is the main factor leading to IgAN. Importantly, HUANG QI links with 14 biomarkers, indicating that it is the most important herb in GBTL for treating IgAN. Also, relationships of other herbs with IgAN were explored. Third, we demonstrated that the remaining 9 IgAN associated proteins are responses to biological processes, such as antigen processing, protein ubiquitination and cell cycle regulation, which are crucial for IgAN development. Finally, we found that GBTL could induce a significant increase in the levels of two target gene: TNF and NOS2.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further studies are called to develop/modify the formula of GBTL, in order to enhance its effect on IgAN.
authors: Department of Nephrology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.|Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine (14DZ2273220), Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors: Peicheng
authors: P
authors: Shen
authors: Department of Nephrology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.|Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine (14DZ2273220), Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors: Jiaojiao
authors: J
authors: Shen
authors: Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors: Chuan
authors: C
authors: Sun
authors: Department of Nephrology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China.|Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine (14DZ2273220), Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
authors: Xuejun
authors: X
authors: Yang
authors: Department of Nephrology, Shuguang Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 528 Zhangheng Road, Pudong, Shanghai, 201203, People's Republic of China. Liqun-he12@sohu.com.|Shanghai Key Laboratory of Traditional Chinese Clinical Medicine (14DZ2273220), Shanghai, People's Republic of China. Liqun-he12@sohu.com.
authors: Liqun
authors: L
authors: He
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis* / Q000378:metabolism; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal / Q000494:pharmacology*; D005922:Glomerulonephritis, IGA / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008516:Medicine, Chinese Traditional; D051379:Mice; D008809:Mice, Inbred C3H; D011506:Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism; D020543:Proteome; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000276:immunology; D049490:Systems Biology
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D004365:Drugs, Chinese Herbal; D011506:Proteins; D020543:Proteome
keywords: Gubentongluo decoction; IgA Nephropathy; Network; Proteins; Traditional Chinese Medicine