Commentary: "A systems view on the future of medicine: inspiration from Chinese medicine?".

Chinese medicine could serve as a source of inspiration for drug development. Using systems biology in combination with reverse pharmacology is a novel way for the discovery of novel biological active compounds and targets as well as for proving the occurrence of synergy and prodrugs. A key factor for coming to evidence-based Chinese medicine will be the quality control. Metabolomics is a very promising tool for this purpose.