Network pharmacology combined with affinity ultrafiltration to elucidate the potential compounds of Shaoyao Gancao Fuzi Decoction for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Shaoyao Gancao Fuzi Decoction (SGFD), has been employed for thousands of years in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with remarkable clinical efficacy. However, the material basis underlying the effectiveness of SGFD still remains unclear.

Aim of the review: This study aims to elucidate the material basis of SGFD through the application of network pharmacology and biological affinity ultrafiltration.

Results: UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS was employed to characterize the components in SGFD, the identified 145 chemical components were mainly categorized into alkaloids, flavonoids, triterpenoids, and monoterpenoids according to the structures. Network pharmacology method was utilized to identify potential targets and signaling pathways of SGFD in the RA treatment, and the anti-inflammatory and anti-RA effects of SGFD were validated through in vivo and in vitro experiments. Moreover, as the significant node in the pharmacology network, TNF-α, a classical therapeutic target in RA, was subsequent employed to screen the interacting compounds in SGFD via affinity ultrafiltration screening method, 6 active molecules (i.e.,glycyrrhizic acid, paeoniflorin, formononetin, isoliquiritigenin, benzoyl mesaconitine, and glycyrrhetinic acid) were exhibited significant interactions. Finally, the significant anti-inflammatory and anti-TNF-α effects of these compounds were validated at the cellular level.

Conclusions: In conclusion, this study comprehensively elucidates the pharmacodynamic material basis of SGFD, offering a practical reference model for the systematic investigation of traditional Chinese medicine formulas.