Yanggan Roujin Decoction delays intervertebral disc degeneration: network pharmacological analysis and experimental validation in rat models

• Yanggan Roujin Decoction effectively delays intervertebral disc degeneration in a rat model, as evidenced by histopathological improvements. • Network pharmacology identified 187 active components and 298 potential targets, including TP53, c-Jun, IL-6, TNF-α, AKT, and insulin. • The decoction modulates key signaling pathways: inhibits MAPK and TNF pathways, and activates HIF-1 pathway. • Compared to diclofenac sodium, Yanggan Roujin Decoction exerts broader regulatory effects on multiple targets and pathways.