OBJECTIVETo explore potency material bases of Xuebijing (XBJ) formula, and to analyze its effects at the molecular network level.

METHODSTotally 16 sepsis-related targets were selected and classified into three categories such as inflammation, immune, and coagulation referring to biological roles. Then molecular database of chemical compositions in XBJ formula were constructed to explore mutual actions with inflammation, immune, and coagulation targets.

RESULTSDanshen root and safflower, with more effector molecules with immune and coagulation targets, have extensive anticoagulation and anti-inflammation effects. The former 10 molecules with better mutual actions with sepsis targets were sequenced as tryptophane, danshensu, gallic acid, salvianolic acid D, protocatechuic acid, salvianolic acid A, danshensu C, vanillic acid, rosmarinic acid, phenylalanine. There existed two phenomena in XBJ formula as follows. One component had stronger actions with multi-targets, for example, danshensu had actions with 13 targets. Meanwhile, different components acted on the same target protein, for example, 8 molecules acted with MD-2.

CONCLUSIONXBJ formula had certain potential synergistic effects with sepsis targets, which could provide certain referential roles for findina new type anti-septic drugs.