Tandem mass tag-based proteomics analysis reveals the effects of Guri Gumu-13 pill on drug-induced liver injury

The incidence of drug-induced liver injury (DILI) is second only to viral hepatitis and steatohepatitis in China, and DILI has become a serious public health problem that cannot be ignored. Guri Gumu-13 pill (GRGM) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), which has a protective effect on liver diseases. However, the underlying therapeutic mechanisms of GRGM for DILI are still vague. In this study, the protective effect of GRGM on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced DILI was investigated based on the proteomics clues. The effects of GRGM on APAP-induced DILI in rats were studied using tandem mass tag (TMT)-based quantitative proteomics technology. Besides, western blotting was exerted to verify related proteins. Using the TMT-based quantitative proteomics approach, 237 proteins were identified as regulated in APAP-induced DILI and 58 proteins were regulated by GRGM. The 17 overlapping differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were identified, and 7 proteins were inversely regulated. Enrichment analysis of KEGG indicated that metabolic pathways, linoleic acid metabolism, and retinol metabolism might be affected in DILI. Next, Cyp2c11, Aldh1a1, and Fads2 were verified with molecular biotechnology. GRGM exerts therapeutic effects through multi-pathways regulation in the treatment of DILI. This work may provide proteomics clues for the continuation of research on DILI treatment with GRGM.