Objective To explore the mechanism of Danggui Sini Decoction in treating knee osteoarthritis(KOA)by using network pharmacology,combined with in vitro experimental verification.Methods The active components of Danggui Sini Decoction were retrieved and screened through TCMSP,CNKI and PubMed databases,and their corresponding targets were predicted using the SwissTarget Prediction platform.KOA related targets were retrieved from GeneCards and OMIM databases.Intersection of drug targets and KOA targets was obtained,and key components,core targets,and their related biological mechanisms were identified through network topology analysis,GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.Molecular docking was used to verify the degree of binding between key components and core targets.Danggui Sini Decoction containing serum was prepared,and an in vitro KOA model was constructed by inducing rat articular chondrocytes with lipopolysaccharide.The CCK-8 method was used to screen for the optimal concentration of drug containing serum intervention,fluorescent probes were used to detect intracellular ROS content,immunofluorescence was used to detect NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation,RT-qPCR was used to detect the expressions of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA,Western blot was used to detect the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 proteins.Results The results of network pharmacology analysis indicated that the treatment of KOA with Danggui Sini Decoction may involve regulating Toll like receptors,MAPK,TNF,apoptosis and other inflammatory and aging signaling pathways,compounds such as quercetin,kaempferol and glycyrrhizin may play important roles.Core targets included IL6,IL1B,TNF,TLR4,NFKB1,JUN,MAPK1,RELA.In vitro experiments showed that compared with the blank group,the ROS content in chondrocytes of the model group significantly increased(P<0.01),NF-κB p65 protein was significantly nuclear translocation(P<0.01),and mRNA expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and p-NF-κB p65 significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with the model group,the intervention of Danggui Sini Decoction containing serum could significantly reduce intracellular ROS content(P<0.05),inhibit NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation(P<0.01),and reduce the expression of inflammatory factor mRNA and related proteins(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Danggui Sini Decoction can significantly reduce the inflammatory response of rat articular chondrocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide and exert therapeutic effects on KOA.Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.

Objective To explore the mechanism of Danggui Sini Decoction in treating knee osteoarthritis(KOA)by using network pharmacology,combined with in vitro experimental verification.Methods The active components of Danggui Sini Decoction were retrieved and screened through TCMSP,CNKI and PubMed databases,and their corresponding targets were predicted using the SwissTarget Prediction platform.KOA related targets were retrieved from GeneCards and OMIM databases.Intersection of drug targets and KOA targets was obtained,and key components,core targets,and their related biological mechanisms were identified through network topology analysis,GO and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis.Molecular docking was used to verify the degree of binding between key components and core targets.Danggui Sini Decoction containing serum was prepared,and an in vitro KOA model was constructed by inducing rat articular chondrocytes with lipopolysaccharide.The CCK-8 method was used to screen for the optimal concentration of drug containing serum intervention,fluorescent probes were used to detect intracellular ROS content,immunofluorescence was used to detect NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation,RT-qPCR was used to detect the expressions of IL-6,IL-1β and TNF-α mRNA,Western blot was used to detect the expression of Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),myeloid differentiation factor 88(MyD88),NF-κB p65 and p-NF-κB p65 proteins.Results The results of network pharmacology analysis indicated that the treatment of KOA with Danggui Sini Decoction may involve regulating Toll like receptors,MAPK,TNF,apoptosis and other inflammatory and aging signaling pathways,compounds such as quercetin,kaempferol and glycyrrhizin may play important roles.Core targets included IL6,IL1B,TNF,TLR4,NFKB1,JUN,MAPK1,RELA.In vitro experiments showed that compared with the blank group,the ROS content in chondrocytes of the model group significantly increased(P<0.01),NF-κB p65 protein was significantly nuclear translocation(P<0.01),and mRNA expressions of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α mRNA and protein expressions of TLR4,MyD88 and p-NF-κB p65 significantly increased(P<0.01);compared with the model group,the intervention of Danggui Sini Decoction containing serum could significantly reduce intracellular ROS content(P<0.05),inhibit NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation(P<0.01),and reduce the expression of inflammatory factor mRNA and related proteins(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Danggui Sini Decoction can significantly reduce the inflammatory response of rat articular chondrocytes induced by lipopolysaccharide and exert therapeutic effects on KOA.Its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway.