How Modern Science Decodes an Ancient Remedy for Skin Conditions
Imagine a relentless itch that disrupts sleep, diminishes concentration, and strains social interactions. This isn't merely an inconvenience—it's a daily reality for millions suffering from chronic pruritus and eczema.
For those who turn to traditional remedies, a fundamental question persists: How do these complex natural formulations actually work inside our bodies?
The answer is emerging through an unprecedented marriage of ancient wisdom and cutting-edge technology. Scientists are now deploying sophisticated molecular tools to unravel the mysteries of traditional medicines, and one formula—Shiduqing Capsules—is revealing its secrets through this innovative approach.
What researchers are discovering not only validates traditional use but also reveals a sophisticated multi-target strategy that modern medicine is only beginning to appreciate.
To understand how researchers are decoding traditional medicines, imagine the human body as an incredibly complex city. If we think of proteins and genes as the individual buildings, then molecular networks represent the streets, power grids, and communication systems that connect them.
These networks exhibit two crucial properties that help scientists understand disease and treatment:
For decades, drug discovery operated on a "one target, one drug" principle—identifying a single problematic protein and designing a molecule to block or activate it. This approach has proven inadequate for complex conditions like eczema and pruritus, which involve multiple interconnected biological pathways 2 .
Systems biology, by contrast, studies how all these elements work together as a system. When applied to traditional medicine, it allows researchers to understand how multiple ingredients in a formula might work in concert rather than isolation—an approach called "network pharmacology" 5 .
Single target focus
Inadequate for multi-pathway conditions
Multi-target network analysis
Addresses complexity of traditional medicines
The first challenge in understanding Shiduqing Capsules lies in identifying what's actually inside them. These capsules contain a complex mixture of herbal ingredients including Rehmannia glutinosa, Angelica sinensis, Salvia miltiorrhiza, Sophora flavescens, and Glycyrrhiza uralensis (licorice) 8 .
To identify these compounds, researchers turn to UHPLC-QE-Orbitrap Mass Spectrometry, an advanced analytical technology that acts as both a molecular microscope and sorting facility 1 3 .
Once individual compounds are identified, researchers use the Global Natural Products Social (GNPS) platform to visualize the chemical relationships between them. This approach groups compounds into "molecular families" based on structural similarities, much like social networks group people by shared interests or connections 3 .
Through this approach, scientists discovered that Shiduqing Capsules contain a rich array of flavonoids, terpenoids, lipids, and phenylpropanoids—classes of compounds known to have various biological activities 3 6 .
With the chemical constituents identified, the next question emerges: Which of these compounds actually reach the bloodstream and tissues where they can exert biological effects?
By analyzing blood samples from subjects who had taken Shiduqing Capsules, researchers identified 51 bioactive components that were absorbed into circulation 3 6 . These "blood-absorbed components" represent the compounds most likely to contribute to the therapeutic effects.
Using computational prediction tools like SwissTargetPrediction, researchers then estimated which human proteins each compound might interact with 1 .
The true power of network pharmacology emerges when researchers analyze how所有这些 predicted interactions work together.
By importing the list of potential targets into databases like the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG), scientists can identify which biological pathways are disproportionately targeted by the Shiduqing formula 1 2 .
This analysis revealed that Shiduqing's anti-pruritus and anti-eczema effects likely work through multiple key pathways, including TNF signaling, Th17 cell differentiation, and JAK-STAT signaling 1 3 6 .
Intracellular pathway that transmits signals from cytokines, influencing immune responses 1
One pivotal study exemplifies this integrated approach particularly well. Published in 2025, this research aimed to comprehensively identify Shiduqing's active components and their tissue distribution patterns while elucidating the underlying therapeutic mechanisms against eczema 3 6 .
Analysis using UHPLC-QE-Orbitrap MS technology 3
Administration to animal models and collection of blood/tissue samples 6
Grouping compounds into structural families using GNPS 3
Confirmation using techniques like molecular docking 1
This comprehensive approach yielded several important discoveries that significantly advance our understanding of how Shiduqing Capsules work:
| Chemical Class | Number of Compounds | Biological Activities |
|---|---|---|
| Flavonoids | 21 | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory |
| Terpenoids | 13 | Anti-inflammatory, modulating |
| Lipids | 8 | Structural, signaling |
| Phenylpropanoids | 6 | Antioxidant, anti-inflammatory |
The analysis revealed that the effective ingredients of Shiduqing Capsules exert a multifaceted therapeutic effect on pruritus through multiple targets and pathways 6 .
| Tool/Technology | Function in Research | Role in Shiduqing Studies |
|---|---|---|
| UHPLC-QE-Orbitrap MS | Separates and identifies chemical compounds | Identified 51 bioactive components in Shiduqing |
| GNPS Platform | Groups compounds by structural similarity | Revealed flavonoid and terpenoid clusters |
| SwissTargetPrediction | Predicts protein targets of compounds | Identified potential interactions with TP53, AKT1, STAT3 |
| DAVID Database | Analyzes biological pathway enrichment | Mapped compounds to TNF and Th17 pathways |
| Molecular Docking | Validates compound-protein interactions | Confirmed binding between key compounds and targets |
Identified through high-resolution mass spectrometry
Influenced by Shiduqing's components
The integration of high-resolution mass spectrometry with molecular network analysis represents more than just an advanced technological achievement—it offers a bridge between traditional healing systems and modern scientific validation.
The methodology pioneered with Shiduqing is now being applied to other traditional medicines, creating a robust framework for evaluating complex natural products . As these technologies become more accessible and sophisticated, we can anticipate a new era of evidence-informed traditional medicine that combines centuries of observational wisdom with cutting-edge molecular understanding.
The next time you encounter a traditional remedy, remember that within its complex formula may lie a sophisticated therapeutic strategy that we're only now developing the tools to understand.
The journey from ancient apothecary to modern laboratory is well underway, and for millions suffering from persistent skin conditions, this convergence of traditions promises more effective and better-understood treatments in the years ahead.
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