Exploring the anti-gout mechanism of Erding granules based on network pharmacology and experimental verification

Background: Gout is a common form of inflammatory arthritis. Objectives: This study aimed to explore the mechanism of Erding granules in gout. Methods: The anti-gout components and targets of Erding granules were identified using network pharmacology. Molecular docking predicted the degree of binding between compounds and targets. Cell experiments confirmed changes in target expression levels and preliminary anti-inflammatory effects. Results: Erding granules contain 14 potential active ingredients and 18 possible targets for fighting gout. Using KEGG and GO enrichment analyses, two signaling pathways were identified, namely PI3K/AKT and MAPK. Two cellular components, GO: 0035866, alpha-beta3 integrin-PKCalpha complex and GO: 0035867, alpha-beta3 integrin-IGF-1-IGF1R complex, were identified. The key signaling pathways and two cellular components were traced to identify the corresponding genes and experiments were designed to verify them. Through RT-qPCR, it was found that monosodium urate (MSU) can cause increases in the expression levels of INSR, PRKCA and IGF1R mRNA; however, Erding granules can reverse these increases. Under the action of Erding granules, the increased release of IL-1? and IL-18 induced by MSU was reversed. Conclusion: Erding granules may alleviate gout by reducing the release of pro-inflammatory factors via targeting INSR, PRKCA and IGF1R.