Objective To construct an active component-target network and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network of Cidan capsule, analyze the functions and pathways involved in the targets, and explore the mechanism of Cidan capsule against liver cancer. Methods The main active components of Cidan capsule were mined through Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP). The targets related to the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma of the active components of Cidan capsule were predicted and screened by Search Tool for Interactions of Chemicals (STITCH), GeneCards, and Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM). Cytoscape software was used to construct the active component-target network, and String database and Cytoscape software were used to construct the PPI network. Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analyses were performed using the Database for Annovation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Results Eighteen active components of Cidan capsule were screened, and a total of 97 targets related to hepatocellular carcinoma were obtained. The analysis of active component-target network showed that the effect of Cidan capsule was characterized by multiple components and multiple targets. The constructed PPI network involved 88 nodes and 467 edges. The results of GO enrichment analysis showed that cellular processes, biological regulation, metabolic process and response to chemical stimulation were mainly involved in the effect of Cidan capsule on hepatocellular carcinoma. The results of KEGG enrichment analysis showed that the targets of Cidan capsule for hepatocellular carcinoma were mainly involved in tumor necrosis factor (TNF), phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)-protein kinase B (AKT) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathways. Conclusion The effect of Cidan capsule on hepatocellular carcinoma is characterized by multiple components, multiple targets, and multiple pathways, and it may play a role by regulating TNF, PI3K-AKT and MAPK pathways.