Mechanisms Research on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Intervened by Tong Guan Pill Based on Label Free Proteomics.

Objectives: To investigate the mechanism of Tong Guan Pill (TGP) by the treatment of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) in label free quantitative (LFQ) proteomics. Methods: The BPH rat models were established by injection of testosterone propionate (4mg/kg) for 21 days and treated with TGP (5.5g/kg) for 21 days. The prostate index (PI), hematoxylin and eosin staining and Masson staining were observed. Prostate tissues of rats were detected by LFQ proteomics. DAVID database was used to perform GO and KEGG analysis of differentially expressed proteins(DEPs) obtained from LFQ proteomics. Western Blotting was used to analyze CD14, IFIT1 and RCN1. Results: After TGP treatment, the PI, prostatic epithelial thickness and papillary protrusion of BPH rats were decreased. Thirty-six DEPs were obtained by LFQ proteomics. The mass spectrometry proteomics data have been deposited to the ProteomeXchange with identifier PXD036464. DEPs were enriched to obtain multiple signaling pathways such as Metabolic pathways, Focal adhesion and ECM-receptor interaction. Western blotting showed that compared with the normal control group, the expression of CD14 and RCN1 was increased, and the expression of IFIT1 was decreased in the model group. After TGP intervention, the expression of the three proteins was restored. Conclusions: TGP have a significant effect on BPH, which may act through multiple pathways such as adhesion, inflammatory response, cell proliferation and apoptosis. This study will provide reference for elucidating the proteomic mechanism of TGP in treating BPH.