ABSTRACT
AIM To explore analgesic mechanism of Yaobitong Capsules (Notoginseng Radix et Rhizoma,Chuanxiong Rhizoma,Corydalis Rhizoma,etc.) on lumbar intervertebral discs.METHODS An array of data mining,molecular docking and network analysis were employed to investigate the active compounds and key target protein.RESULTS Among the forty-six active hits identified by virtual screening,most compounds displayed good oral bioavailability and might confer an optimal CNS exposure.And eleven molecules (coptisine,diligustilide,corypalmine,chuanxiongterpene,etc.) were further confirmed to alleviate lumbar intervertebral discs through their targeting at nineteen proteins (such as p38,CGRP,MMPs,TNFα) to inhibit the inflammatory response and the infiltration of microvasculature,to reduce the nociceptors sensitivity,and to modulate the balance of Collagen and proteoglycans in catabolic and anabolic responses.CONCLUSION Yaobitong Capsules' clear molecular working mechanism and the key active compounds are revealed by this network-assisted investigation highlight the subsequent experiments on targets and active compounds.