Exploring the potential mechanism of the Chinese medicine Duhuo on rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology

According to current research, the main components of Duhuo, such as volatile oils and coumarins, possess anti-inflammatory and antitumor properties. However, the precise mechanisms underlying these effects remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate the potential mechanisms of Duhuo in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) using network pharmacology. The TCMSP, GeneCards, and DisGeNET databases were used to identify the active ingredients and target genes of Duhuo, as well as the RA-related genes. Common targets were determined using a Venn diagram. Cytoscape software was employed to construct protein-protein interaction (PPI) networks, and the core targets were identified and analyzed. Gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed using the DAVID database to visualize functional pathways. A total of nine active compounds in Duhuo, 274 potential target genes, and 96 overlapping genes associated with both Duhuo and RA were identified. PPI network analysis revealed SRC, EGFR, CASP3, PPARG, and PTGS2 as the core targets of Duhuo in RA treatment. Enrichment results indicated involvement in cancer signaling, the MAPK pathway, PI3K-Akt signaling, and the prolactin signaling pathway. These findings suggest that Duhuo exerts anti-RA effects through multiple components, targets, and signaling pathways.