"Target fishing" strategy was used to investigate the direct targets and mechanism of Shouhui Tongbian Capsules on relaxing bowel. Magnetic beads cross-linked with the chemical constituents from Shouhui Tongbian Capsules were prepared. The potential target proteins were captured from the total protein lysates of rat intestine using the beads. The captured proteins were further identified by LC-MS/MS, and the associated pathways were analyzed by Cytoscape. RESULTS:: showed that 138 potential target proteins were identified, which were involved in eight signaling pathways, including tricarboxylic acid cycle, pyrimidine metabolism, sulfur metabolism, fatty acid degradation, alanine/aspartate/glutamate metabolism, arginine/proline metabolism, valine/leucine/isoleucine degradation, and β-alanine metabolism. Taken together, Shouhui Tongbian Capsules may exert relaxing bowel effect by acting on multiple signaling pathways to promote intestinal gurgling, inhibit inflammation, as well as improve intestinal barrier function, intestinal water secretion, and intestinal flora.
Keywords: Shouhui Tongbian Capsules; constipation; relaxing bowel; target identification; tricarboxylic acid cycle.