MMP9 and rheumatoid arthritis: According to the order of DV, NBC, and NCC values in Table 2, together with the importance and relevance in the process of suppressing RA, five target proteins, namely, EGFR, MMP9, IL2, MAPK14, and KDR, were selected to verify the outcomes of network pharmacology analyses and the mechanism of action of ARF in remedying RA.