Yubo Li1, Yani Zhang1, Yuming Wang1, Yamei Li1, Feifan Yang1, Pengjie Zhang1, Yanjun Zhang2, Changxiao Liu3. 1. Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 312 Anshan west Road, Tianjin 300193, China. 2. Tianjin State Key Laboratory of Modern Chinese Medicine, School of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica, Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 312 Anshan west Road, Tianjin 300193, China. Electronic address: tianjin_tcm001@sina.com. 3. The State Key Laboratory of Drug Delivery Technology and Pharmacokinetics, Tianjin Institute of Pharmaceutical Research, 308 Anshan west Road, Tianjin 300193, China.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Considering that the quality control indicators in Chinese medicine (CM) are disconnected from safety and effectiveness, Prof. Chang-xiao Liu et al. has proposed a concept regarding the quality marker (Q-marker) of CM to promote the healthy development of the CM industry and improve the CM quality control method. PURPOSE: In this study, we proposed a strategy to discover and verify the toxicity Q-marker of CM based on network toxicology. METHODS: First, traditional biochemical pathology indicators and sensitive biomarkers were used to predict the toxicity of CM. Next, the chemical composition of toxic CMs and their metabolites were rapidly identified by multidimensional detection techniques. Subsequently, the interaction network between "toxicity - toxic chemical composition - toxic target - effect pathway" was built through network toxicology, and the potential toxicity Q-marker of CM was initially screened. Finally, the chemical properties of toxicity Q-markers were verified by traceability and testability. RESULTS: Based on the predicted results of network toxicology, the toxic compounds of CM were preliminarily identified, and the toxic mechanism was comprehensively interpreted. In the context of definite biological properties and chemical properties, the toxicity Q-marker was finally confirmed. CONCLUSION: This extensive review provides a study method for the toxicity Q-marker of CM, which helps to systemically and thoroughly reveal the internal toxicity mechanism of CM. The in-depth study of the toxicity Q-marker provides the material basis and technical support for the safety evaluation of CM.
BACKGROUND: Considering that the quality control indicators in Chinese medicine (CM) are disconnected from safety and effectiveness, Prof. Chang-xiao Liu et al. has proposed a concept regarding the quality marker (Q-marker) of CM to promote the healthy development of the CM industry and improve the CM quality control method. PURPOSE: In this study, we proposed a strategy to discover and verify the toxicity Q-marker of CM based on network toxicology. METHODS: First, traditional biochemical pathology indicators and sensitive biomarkers were used to predict the toxicity of CM. Next, the chemical composition of toxic CMs and their metabolites were rapidly identified by multidimensional detection techniques. Subsequently, the interaction network between "toxicity - toxic chemical composition - toxic target - effect pathway" was built through network toxicology, and the potential toxicity Q-marker of CM was initially screened. Finally, the chemical properties of toxicity Q-markers were verified by traceability and testability. RESULTS: Based on the predicted results of network toxicology, the toxic compounds of CM were preliminarily identified, and the toxic mechanism was comprehensively interpreted. In the context of definite biological properties and chemical properties, the toxicity Q-marker was finally confirmed. CONCLUSION: This extensive review provides a study method for the toxicity Q-marker of CM, which helps to systemically and thoroughly reveal the internal toxicity mechanism of CM. The in-depth study of the toxicity Q-marker provides the material basis and technical support for the safety evaluation of CM.