Integrated RNA-sequencing and network pharmacology approach reveals the protection of Yiqi Huoxue formula against idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis by interfering with core transcription factors

•YQHX herbal formula inhibits TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast activation and alleviates bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis in a mouse model.•RNA-sequencing reveals YQHX-regulated differential expressed genes in TGF-β1-induced myofibroblast.•A regulatory network of 24 active ingredients and 232 corresponding targets for YQHX was established using network pharmacology.•YQHX inhibited STAT3 phosphorylation in bleomycin-induced mice model.•The potential mechanism of action of YQHX is interfering core TFs and inhibiting pathogenetic genes expression in IPF.