Abstract: Abstract：　Objective　To explore the potential mechanism of main active components Tripterygium wilfordii in the treatment of recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU) based on network pharmacology. Methods The components of Tripterygium wilfordii were searched through the TCMSP and TCMID databases. The related targets of RAU were obtained through Gene Cards, OMIM, et al. The RAU targets was mapped to the targets of Tripterygium wilfordii to screen out the common targets as the treatment of RAU targets of Tripterygium wilfordii. Using Cytoscape software to construct a component-target regulatory network and protein-protein interaction network, use the DAVID database to analyze the GO classification enrichment analysis and KEGG signal path analysis. Results 51 components and 150 the treatment of RAU targets of Tripterygium wilfordii were obtained. The key active ingredients include triptolide, kaempferol, nobiletin et al. The key targets include AKT1, TNF, VEGFA et al. KEGG signaling pathway analysis of the treatment of RAU targets of Tripterygium wilfordii obtained 117 signaling pathways, mainly related to TNF signaling pathway and VEGF signaling pathway, T cell receptor signaling pathway etc. GO classification enrichment analysis obtained 80 GO term, mainly involved in response to drug, enzyme binding and membrane raft, etc. Conclusions Based on network pharmacology, this study preliminarily revealed the pharmacological basis and mechanism of action of active components of Tripterygium wilfordii in the treatment of RAU. It can provide a theoretical basis for the subsequent treatment of RAU drugs from Tripterygium wilfordii with no toxic side effects.

Key words: Tripterygium wilfordii, RAU, network pharmacology, active ingredient