OBJECTIVE To explore the mechanism of Qingbai Tongbi capsules in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking combined with experimental verification.

METHODS The active ingredients in Qingbai Tongbi capsules were screened and determined by TCMSP and HERB databases, and the active ingredient targets were predicted by SwissTargetPrediction database. The target of RA was searched in OMIM, GeneCards, TTD and Disgenet databases, and the target of Qingbai Tongbi capsules and RA were intersected. The drug-ingredient-target network map and protein-protein interaction(PPI) network were constructed using STRING database and Cytoscape 3.9.1 software. KEGG enrichment analysis predicted the main signaling pathway of Qingbai Tongbi capsules in RA treatment. Molecular docking software was used to dock the main active components of Qingbai Tongbi capsules with the core target. Finally, MH7A cells were selected for cell viability, scratch healing and mRNA expression level analysis of key genes to explore the effects of Qingbai Tongbi capsules and its potential active ingredients on the proliferation, migration and invasion of MH7A cells.

RESULTS The 26 active ingredients of Qingbai Tongbi capsules correspond to 515 targets, RA targets 1890, and intersection targets 199. The main active ingredients of Qingbai Tongbi capsules were kaempferol, liquiritigenin, β-glycyrrhetinic acid, α-glycyrrhetinic acid and so on. The core targets of Qingbai Tongbi capsules in the treatment of RA include tumor necrosis factor(TNF), signal transduction and transcriptional activator 3(STAT3), epidermal growth factor receptor(EGFR), matrix metalloproteinase(MMP9) and so on. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis identified 1055 items related to RA occurrence and 166 signaling pathways. The experimental results showed that compared with blank control group, Qingbai Tongbi capsules, α-glycyrrhetinic acid, β-glycyrrhetinic acid and stepholidine could inhibit the proliferation, migration and invasion of MH7A cells, reduce the mRNA expression level of inflammation-related genes, and down-regulate the expression of MAPK1 and NF-κB genes.

CONCLUSION Qingbai Tongbi capsules can improve RA by inhibiting the activation of inflammatory signaling pathway MAPK-NF-κB, inhibiting inflammatory reaction and promoting apoptosis.