Integrating system biology tools to decipher the mechanisms of action of herbal medicine

Abstract

Since herbal medicine had been employed long ago in the treatment of various human health conditions especially in Asia countries, the Western world has recently recognized its medical benefits. Still, the therapeutic index of herbal medicine remains unknown, and their corresponding human clinical studies are largely undetermined. Many health professionals make a reservation using them for patient’s treatment without previous rigorous efficacy and safety studies which prevent herbal products approval under healthcare practices. The Food and Drug Administration had approved two botanical drugs, to named Veregen in 2006 and Fulyzaq in 2012 while other formulas are in clinical trial phases 2 & 3. The main hurdle many scientists around the world face is “demystifying” by demonstrating the mechanistic concept of herbal formulas to restore the biological processes from abnormal to health status in a variety of disorders/ diseases. Thereof, this article aims at presenting the capabilities of current biology tools and their integration into a bioinformatics platform to dissect the system mechanisms by which human cells used after being exposed to herbal formula treatment.