UNRAVELING THE MOLECULAR PATHWAYS OF EPIMEDIUM IN STEROID-INDUCED AVASCULAR NECROSIS OF THE FEMORAL HEAD: AN ANALYSIS USING NETWORK PHARMACOLOGY

Steroid-induced avascular necrosis of the femoral head (SANFH) is a debilitating condition caused by the prolonged and improper use of glucocorticoids. If left untreated, it can lead to femoral head collapse and significant impairment of a patient's quality of life. Currently, there is no effective non-surgical treatment for SANFH. Traditional Chinese medicine, with its holistic approach, is gaining importance in SANFH diagnosis and treatment. Epimedium, a medicinal herb with properties that nourish kidney yang and strengthen bones, is a promising candidate for SANFH therapy. In this study, we employ network pharmacology to elucidate the interactions between Epimedium and SANFH. Our analysis aims to reveal the action targets, as well as the signaling pathways, of Epimedium's active components in the treatment of SANFH, providing a foundation for the development of novel treatments.