LAUSR

HighlightsFirst, the GC–MS technology was performed to analyze the metabolites in serum.Second, the metabolomics approach revealed the changes of metabolites in fatigued mice induced by exhausting swimming.Third, we had used metabonomics method to study the antifatigue effect of Danggui Buxue Tang on fatigued mice.Lastly, we had used visual data processing method to analyze the related data, it is more accuracy and conveniently. ABSTRACT Danggui Buxue Tang (DBT), believed to invigorate ‘Qi’ (vital energy) and nourish ‘Blood’ (body circulation), is a traditional Chinese medicine formula. In this study, a metabolomics approach with gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry combined with pattern recognition was adopted to investigate the underlying mechanism of the antifatigue effect of DBT on fatigue of mice induced by weight‐loaded forced swimming. Fourteen endogenous metabolites, up‐regulated or down‐regulated, were identified in the model mice by analysis tools of partial least‐squares discriminant analysis (PLS‐DA) and XCMS online software. Furthermore, the metabolites were reversed by DBT treatment, offering evidence for the antifatigue effect. In addition, intervention of DBT changed the levels of biochemical parameters. DBT showed obvious efficacy on the fatigued mice possibly by regulating the pathways of phenylalanine, tyrosine and tryptophan metabolism, glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism, glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, pyruvate metabolism, and TCA cycle. This study demonstrated that DBT has a good antifatigue effect and that metabolomics is a powerful means to gain insights into the therapeutic effect of traditional Chinese medicine formulas.