Serum-derived exosome proteomics unveils the distinct and adjustable nature of the dampness constitution in traditional Chinese medicine

作者：Wenhui Wu, Chengcheng Wang, Tao Zhang, Xinyan Chen, Hangfan Zhou, Fei Tan, Jiamin Yuan, Lei Chang, Chen Sun, Yi Sun, Jianwen Guo, Guibin Wang, Yao Zhang, Ping Xu, Zhimin Yang · 发表于：Journal of Ethnopharmacology · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.jep.2025.120353 · 被引用次数：2 · 研究领域：Traditional Chinese Medicine Studies、Ginseng Biological Effects and Applications、Blood properties and coagulation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), dampness is a pathogenic factor arising from impaired production and transportation of bodily fluids. While Fuling Zexie decoction (FLZXD) has demonstrated therapeutic efficacy in dampness constitution (DC) treatment, the material basis underlying its constitutional modulatory effects remains unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study proposes objective indicators for the differentiation and therapeutic evaluation of DC and elucidates the material basis of FLZXD in DC treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Serum exosome proteomic profiling was conducted across two independent cohorts to identify DC-related indicators and assess the therapeutic efficacy of FLZXD in DC-associated hyperlipidemia (DC-hyperlipidemia). The bioactive compounds of FLZXD were prioritized through a comprehensive analysis of patent documentation and network pharmacology, with subsequent validation of DC-related targets using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Proteomic analysis of serum exosomes revealed signatures that differentiate individuals with a balanced constitution (BC) from those with DC. The differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were enriched predominantly in pathways related to the complement cascade and cardiovascular diseases. FLZXD demonstrated therapeutic efficacy against DC-hyperlipidemia, as evidenced by the reversal of DEPs expression following treatment, which was supported by the patentable findings and...