Metabolomics combined with systematic pharmacology reveals the therapeutic effects of Salvia miltiorrhiza and Radix Pueraria lobata herb pair on type 2 diabetes rats

Salvia miltiorrhiza and Radix Pueraria lobata herb pair is the core of the huoxuehuayu method to treat type 2 diabetes in Chinese. However, the mechanisms of this herb pair remain unclear. In this study, after fecal samples of rats were analyzed, 12 biomarkers and 15 pathways were identified by metabolomics. Then systematic pharmacology predicted 138 targets and 245 pathways. After combining these results with 3 overlapping pathways, a complete network was built. The 7 hub targets in it were verified by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Compared with the Model group, the mRNA level of ADCY2 (P<0.05), MAOB, (P<0.01), AKR1B1 (P<0.05), XDH (P<0.05), PDE3A (P<0.05), and NOS2 (P<0.01) were decreased, while the level of NOS3 (P<0.05) was elevated after herb pair treatment. The results indicate treating effect of this herb pair is related to reducing oxidative stress, inflammation, and improving energy metabolism.