Application of network pharmacology and molecular docking to elucidate the potential mechanism of Eucommia ulmoides-Radix Achyranthis Bidentatae against osteoarthritis

摘要

TCM has a complex mechanism of action and multi-pathway interactions. Over the past few decades, Chinese medicine was regarded as empirical medicine, which was neglected due to a lack of modernized research approaches in related disciplines such as molecular biology, pharmacology, and bioinformatics, etc. [15]. Network pharmacology is a novel method that combines computer science with medicine. Based on” multi-gene, multi-target, multi-pathway” interaction network, network pharmacology combined with TCM provides an in-depth understanding of the active ingredients in Chinese herbs [16]. Besides, this also provides potent evidence into biological targets and the underlying mechanism of action of TCM in the treatment of various diseases [17]. This study seeks to elucidate the molecular targets and underlying mechanism of action of EU-RAB in osteoarthritis using network pharmacology and molecular docking (Fig. 1).