Decipher the action mechanism of Simiao Pill in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis by integrating network pharmacology

To explore the Simiao Pill’s mode of action in the treatment of knee osteoarthritis (KOA) by integrating network pharmacology. The Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology (TCMSP) database was searched for Simiao Pills' active ingredients and pharmacological targets. Microarray data from GSE55457, GSE55235, and GSE12021 were screened, and the common differential genes of KOA were determined by intersecting the three datasets. Simiao Pill's potential targets for treating KOA could be the junction of pharmacological targets and KOA differential genes. Cytoscape software is used for the network visualisation, and network topology analysis is used to identify the essential elements and primary targets. Finally, R language (Version 3.6.0) is used to conduct gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopaedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Nineteen prospective targets of Simiao Pill for KOA were projected. Four key active components, quercetin, wogonin, kaempferol, and baicalein, and six core targets, vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), interleukin-6 (IL6), Jun, Myc, estrogen receptor alpha (ESR1), and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 (PTGS2) were screened by network topology analysis. PI3K-Akt signalling pathway, JAK/STAT3 signalling pathway, and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signalling pathway are considered as key signalling pathways. Simiao Pill may have therapeutic effects through anti-inflammatory, regulating cell proliferation and apoptosis, estrogen function, and anti-angiogenesis, according to the ‘Drug-Active component-Target’ network, which lays the groundwork for further study.