Ant i-inflammatory mechanism of active components in Olibanum and Myrrha based on network pharmacology and cell experiments / 中国中药杂志

Two terpenes, 3-keto-tirucalla-8,24-dien-21-oic acid(KTDA) and 2-methoxy-5-acetoxy-furanogermacr-1(10)-en-6-one(FSA), are isolated from Olibanum and Myrrha respectively, which are characterized by high yield and easy crystallization during the preparation. The present study explored the regulatory targets and anti-inflammatory mechanism of KTDA and FSA based on network pharmacology and cell viability assay. First, the drug-likeness of KTDA and FSA was predicted by Swiss ADME. The target prediction of active components was carried out by Swiss Target Prediction and Pharmmapper. TTD, Drug Bank, and Gene Cards were searched for inflammation-related target genes of KTDA and FSA. Protein-protein interaction(PPI) analysis was performed on the inflammatory targets of KTDA and FSA by STRING, and Cytoscape was used to conduct topological analysis of the interaction results and construct the PPI network. GO function and KEGG pathway enrichment analyses of inflammatory targets of KTDA and FSA were carried out by DAVID, and a " component-target-pathway" network was constructed. Finally, lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264. 7 cells were treated with KTDA and FSA at different concentrations, and nitric oxide(NO) concentration and protein and m RNA expression levels were detected. The results showed that both KTDA and FSA showed good drug-likeness. A total of 157 and 142 inflammation-related targets of KTDA and FSA were screened out. PPI network analysis showed that MAPK1, AKT1, MAPK8, PIK3 CA,PIK3 R1, EGFR, etc. might be the key proteins for the anti-inflammatory effect. PI3 K/AKT and MAPK signaling pathways were obtained by KEGG and GO-BP enrichment. Cell experiment results showed that KTDA and FSA could exert anti-inflammatory effects by inhibiting NO production, reducing the phosphorylation levels of JNK, p38, and AKT proteins, and down-regulating the m RNA expression of interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-6. Meanwhile, FSA could also inhibit ERK phosphorylation. The results indicated that KTDA and FSA had significant anti-inflammatory activity, which provided a scientific basis and important support for the further research,development, and utilization of Olibanum and Myrrha.

Effect of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma on diversity of intestinal flora in diabetic nephropathy rats / 中国中药杂志

This study aimed to explore the effect of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, its stems and leaves on the diversity of intestinal microflora in rats with diabetic kidney injury. Diabetic rats model was established by feeding high glucose and high fat diet and 5% glucose solution with intraperitoneal injection of 30 mg·kg~(-1) streptozocin(STZ). The rats were randomly divided into normal group, model group, irbesartan control group, Huangkui Capsules control group, as well as low, middle and high dose groups of Sal-viae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, its stems and leaves. After administration for 2 weeks, 16 S rRNA technique was used to analyze the diversity of intestinal microflora in the feces of each group. The results showed rats in the model group developed renal tubular epithelial vacuole degeneration and a large amount of inflammatory cell infiltration in the renal interstitium. A small amount of inflammatory cell infiltration was seen in each administration group. The kidney structure of rats in irbesartan group, Huangkui Capsules group, high-dose group of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and its stem water extract, as well as high dose group of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and its stem ethnol extract group was close to the normal group. The diversity and structure of intestinal flora in the model group were significantly different from those in the normal group. Each administration group improved the fecal flora diversity in rats with diabetic kidney injury to a certain extent, especially the high dose of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma and its stems water extract. Different flora were found in feces of diabetic nephropathy model rats on class, order, family and genus levels. On families and genera levels, the relative abundance of Bifidobacterium, Turicibacter, Peptostreptococcaceae, Desulfovibrio, and SMB53 showed an upward trend in model group, but that of Lactobacillus, Clostridium, Rikenella, Rumen fungi showed a downward trend. The administration groups can improve the relative abundance of the above intestinal flora in the model rats to a normal-like level. The results of this study provide a reference for resource utilization and further development of Salviae Miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma.

Mechanism of Olibanum-Myrrha in treatment of rheumatoid arthritis based on network pharmacology and molecular docking / 中国中药杂志

In this paper, network pharmacology method and molecular docking technique were used to investigate the target genes of Olibanum and Myrrha compatibility and the possible mechanism of action in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis(RA). Our team obtained the main active components of Olibanum-Myrrha based on literatures study, relevant traditional Chinese medicine systematic pharmacological databases and literature retrieval, and made target prediction of the active components through SwissTargetPrediction database. At the same time, RA-related targets were collected through DrugBank, GeneCards and Therapeutic Target Database(TDD) databases; and VENNY 2.1 was use to collect intersection targets to map common targets of drug and disease of Venn diagram online. The team used STRING database to construct PPI protein interaction network diagram, and screen out core targets according to the size of the interaction, and Cytoscape 3.6.0 software was used to construct network models of "traditional Chinese medicine-component-target" "traditional Chinese medicine-component-target-disease" and core target interaction network model. The intersection target was analyzed by using DAVID 6.8 online database for GO function analysis and KEGG pathway enrichment analysis, and Pathon was used to visualization. AutoDock Vina and Pymol were used to connect the core active components with the core targets. Sixteen active components of Olibanum-Myrrha pairs were found and collected in the laboratory, and 320 relevant potential targets, 468 RA-related targets and 62 intersection targets were obtained through the Venn diagram. It mainly acted on multiple targets, such as IL6, TNF, IL1 B and MAPK1, involving TNF signaling pathway and Toll-like receptor signaling pathway in RA treatment. Finally, in this study, possible targets and signaling pathways of Olibanum-Myrrha compatibility therapy for RA were discussed, and molecular docking between core targets and core active components was conducted, which could provide scientific basis for the study on the mechanism of Olibanum-Myrrha compatibility.

Effects of pungent essential oil from three Chinese herbs on percutaneous absorption of alkaloids from Sophorae Flavescentis Radix / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the effects of essential oil from three kinds of pungent herbs,namely Menthae Haplocalycis Herba,Atractylodis Rhizoma and Cnidii Fructus,on the transdermal absorption in vitro of alkaloids from Sophorae Flavescentis Radix. The modified vertical Franz diffusion cell was used to conduct a transdermal experiment in vitro with the isolated abdominal skin of the SD rats as the transdermal absorption barrier. The effects of such three kinds of pungent essential oil on percutaneous absorption of alkaloids from Sophorae Flavescentis Radix were investigated by determining the content of 6 alkaloids( oxymatrine,oxysophocarpine,N-methylcytisine,sophoridine,matrine,and sophocarpidine) in the transdermal acceptor with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-triple quadruple mass spectrometry( UPLC-TQ-MS) technique simultaneously. With enhancement ratio( ER) as the index,their effects on promoting penetration was as follows: 1% Atractylodis Rhizoma oil > 1% Cnidii Fructus oil > 3% Azone ≈ 3% Atractylodis Rhizoma oil > 5%Atractylodis Rhizoma oil > 3% Cnidii Fructus oil ≈ 5% Cnidii Fructus oil > 3% Menthae Haplocalycis Herba oil > 5% Menthae Haplocalycis Herba oil > 1% Menthae Haplocalycis Herba oil > Blank. The results showed that these three kinds of pungent essential oil could be used as enhancers for alkaloids of Sophorae Flavescentis Radix,providing scientific guidance for improving percutaneous absorption of alkaloids from Sophorae Flavescentis Radix.

Incompatibility mechanism of Crotonis Semen Pulveratum and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma based on diuretic effect and intestinal flora structure / 中国中药杂志

Based on the toxic characteristics caused by the compatibility between "Zaoji Suiyuan" and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma, which was found in the previous studies, the expanded study was carried out on the incompatibility mechanism between Crotonis Semen Pulveratum(CT) and Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma(GU) with the diuretic effect and intestinal flora as the characteristic indexes. The results showed that GU could slow down the rapid diuretic effect of CT, which suggested a tendency of decreasing the efficacy. Both the high and low dose of CT could significantly induce the intestinal injury and change the intestinal bacteria structure of mice. Low dose CT combined with GU could significantly increase the levels of Streptococcus and Rikenellaceae＿ukn. The relative abundance of Desulfovibrio and Streptococcaceae＿ukn were increased after the combined application of high dose CT and GU. It also suggested that there was a risk of inflammation in the liver and intestines when combined application of these two herbs. The results revealed that the combination of CT and GU has a tendency to reduce the clinical effect and increase the toxicity from the aspects of its traditional efficacy and its effect on intestinal microflora structure, which could provide the data for the clinical use of CT.

Research strategies for feed additives and veterinary medicines from side products of Chinese medicine resources industrialization / 中国中药杂志

The global antimicrobial resistance has been a big challenge to the human health for years. It has to make balance between the safety of animal products and the use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry. Any methods that can minimize or even phase out the use of antimicrobials in animal husbandry should be encouraged. We herein describe the research strategies for feed additives and veterinary medicines from the side products of Chinese medicine resources industrialization. Killing two birds with one stone-besides the major purposes, the rational utilization of non-medicinal parts and wastes of industrialization of Chinese herbal medicines is also achieved under the proposed strategies.

Antidepressant activity of flavonoid ethanol extract of Abelmoschus manihot corolla with BDNF up-regulation in the hippocampus / 药学学报

Abelmoschus manihot (L.) Medic., a folk herbal medicine in China, is a flowering plant belonging to Abelmoschus L. genus and Malvaceae family, which has been reported with an antidepressant activity. The study was designed to isolate flavonoids from Abelmoschus manihot corolla and explore the action mechanism of antidepressant activities. The flavonoids were isolated and purified by D101 macroporous resin column, polyamide column and Sephadex LH-20 sequentially and identified as myricetin-3-O-β-D-glucoside (1), gossypetin-8-O-β-D-glucuronide (2, G-8-G), gossypetin-3'-O-β-D-glucoside (3), quercetin-3'-glucoside (4, Q-3-G), isoquercitrin (5, IQT), hyperoside (6, HY), myricetin (7), quercetin (8, QT). Compounds 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 (15, 30 and 60 mg·kg-1) were orally administered to mice and the reaction was observed in tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST). Western blot analysis was used in determination of the protein expressions of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tyrosine receptor kinase B (TrkB) and phosphorylation eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (p-eEF2). The results revealed that only Q-3-G and G-8-G (15, 30, 60 mg·kg-1) significantly reduced the immobility time in FST and TST. Furthermore, Q-3-G and G-8-G remarkably increased the expression of BDNF and TrkB, and decreased the expression of p-eEF2. These results suggest that Q-3-G and G-8-G had an obvious antidepressant activity via up-regulation of BDNF expression. The new observation will provide a new direction in the development of antidepressant in the treatment of major depressive disorder (MDD).

Analysis and evaluation of resourceful chemical compositions in different parts of Zanthoxylum bungeanum fruit and its seed oil / 中国中药杂志

The study aims of this study is to analyze and evaluate the resourceful chemical compositions in different parts of mature fruit of Zanthoxylum bungeanum, and provide a scientific basis for the comprehensive utilization of this medicinal plant resources. GC-MS method was used to analyze the volatile oils and the fatty acids, and HPLC method was used to determine the flavonoids and phenolic acids in the pericarp, seed and seed oil of Z.bungeanum. There were 26, 19 and 11 kinds of volatile components detected in the pericarp, seed and seed oil, respectively, in which terpenoids and their oxy-derivatives were the main components, and the contents of linalool and its esters in pericarp were relatively high. The contents of total fatty acids in the pericarp, seed and seed oil were 108.42, 331.63, 966.04 mg•g⁻¹, respectively.Oleic acid, linoleic acid andα-linolenic acid were abundantin all samples. The pericarp contains relatively high content of flavonoids, such as hyperoside, quercitrin, rutin, isoquercitrin, while the above components were not detected in the seed and seed oil. These results confirmed that the fruit of Z.bungeanum contains high contents of the resourceful chemical compositions, and their composition and contents were differed among organs, which provide a scientific basis for the utilization of Z.bungeanumfruit.

Siwu series decoctions for treating primary dysmenorrea of gynecology blood stasis syndrome--research progress of Taohong Siwu decoction / 中国中药杂志

The relevant literatures of Siwu series decoctions--Taohong Siwu decoction for treating primary dysmenorrea of gynecology blood stasis syndrome were summarized including the clinical application, pharmacological effects, bioactive components and metabolic characteristics. On this basis,research on the bioactive components and formulation rule were discussed, to provide reference for modern traditional Chinese medicine formula study.

Study on antiplatelet and antithrombin activitives and effective components variation of Puhuang-Wulingzhi before and after compatibility / 中国中药杂志

The changes of bioactive constituents were analyzed for Puhuang-Wulingzhi before and after compatibility and the antiplatelet and antithrombin activitives were evaluated in order to elucidate the scientific and reasonable of Puhuang-Wulingzhi compatibility. UPLC-QTOF-MA-Markerlynx, principal component analysis (PCA) and orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis were used for data analysis and tracking changes of chemical composition during the decocting process. In vitro platelet aggregation induced by ADP, thrombin time(TT) and prothrombin time (PT) were investigated for Puhuang-Wulingzhi before and after compatibility. The results showed that significant differences were found between the mixed decoction and codecoction of Wulingzhi and Puhuang. Five compounds changed obviously were identified as typhaneoside, naringenin, isorhamnetin-3-O-ruinoside, quercetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, kaempferol-3-O-neohesperidoside. The codecoction, comparing with the single decoction, was more significant in antiplatelet aggregation and could prolong thrombin time. In the same crude drug dose, the thrombin time (TT) elongation were greater. These data could provide references for elucidation of bioactive components for this herb pair.

Determine resource chemical component in ginkgo pollen simultaneously by UPLC-TQ-MS / 中国中药杂志

The present study is to determine the flavonoid glycosides, terpene lactones, biflavones, gingko acid and procyanidins of ginkgo pollen. UPLC-TQ-MS technology was used for the determination of 24 kinds of resource chemical composition in ginkgo pollen qualitatively and quantitatively. The results shows that the contents of rutin, quercetion 3-O-[4-O-(α-L-rhamnosyl )-β-D-glucoside] and kaempferolis were 120.9, 114.0, 222.1 μg x g(-1). In this paper, the contents of 24 kinds of chemical components of ginkgo pollen were determinated by UPLC-TQ-MS for the first time. This method is simple and quick, which will be benefit for recycling utilization of ginkgo pollen.

Research on resources chemistry of Chinese medicinal materials and resources recycling utilization ways and goals and tasks / 中国中药杂志

The objects of research on the resources chemistry of Chinese medicinal materials (RCCMM) are promotion of efficient production, rational utilization and improving quality of CMM and natural products. The development of TCM cause depends on the efficient utilization and sustainable development of CMM, hinges on the technologies and methods for using and discovering medicinal biological resources, stand or fall on the extension of industy chains, detailed utilizaion of resource chemical components by multi-way, multi-level. All of these may help to the recycling utilization and sound development of RCMM. In this article, five respects were discussed to the RCCMM researches and resources recycling utilization ways and goals and tasks. First, based on the principle of resource scarcity, discovering or replacing CMM resources, protecting the rare or endangered species or resources. Second, based on the multifunctionality of CMM, realizing the value-added and value compensation, and promoting the utilization efficiency through systermatic and detailed exploitation and utilization. Third, based on the resource conservation and environment-friendly, reducing raw material consumption, lowering cost, promoting recycling utilization and elevating utilization efficiency. Fourth, based on the stratege of turning harm into good, using the invasive alien biological resources by multi-ways and enriching the medicial resources. Fifth, based on the method of structure modification of chemical components, exploring and enhancing the utility value of resouces chemical substances. These data should provide references and attention for improving the utilization efficiency, promoting the development of recycling economy, and changing the mode of economic growth of agriculture and industry of CMM fundamentally.

Network pharmacology study on major active compounds of siwu decoction analogous formulae for treating primary dysmenorrhea of gynecology blood stasis syndrome / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the molecular mechanisms of main active ingredients of Siwu decoction analogous formulae for treating primary dysmenorrhea of gynecology blood stasis syndrome by network pharmacology study, and to investigate the correlations between multi-compounds, multi targets and multi pathways.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Major active compounds from Siwu decoction analogous formulae, including ligustilide, butylidene phthalide, senkyunolide, ferulic acid, gallic acid, peoniflorin, jioglutin A, catalpol, transanethole, zingiberone, commiphoric acid, eugenol, isorhamnetin-3-O-neohesperidoside, wulingzhic acid, alpha-cyperone, cyperene, costunolide, costic acid, tetrahydropalmatine, protopine, amygdalin, 24-methylene cycloartanol, oleic acid, linoleic acid, 3-p-coumaroylquinic acid, hydroxysafflor yellow A, coptisine, berberine, jatrorrhizine, baicalein, baicalin, wogonin were collected to build component-protein networks based on PharmMapper database. The targets information access was used to construct and visualize components-targets-pathways network model using the kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway database and Cytoscape software.</p><p><b>RESULT AND CONCLUSION</b>Serine threonine protein kinases play an important role in the process of cells. They were potential targets in the effect of Siwu decoction analogous formulae. The effect of main active ingredients involved 51 the pathway. Besides the same ones, Shaofu Zhuyu decoction had more effect on lipid metabolism, Xiangfu Siwu decoction on amino acid metabolism pathways, Taohong Siwu decoction on carbohydrate metabolism, while, Qinlian Siwu decoction on ErbB, VEGF signal transduction pathway. Siwu decoction and its derived formulae not only had common targets and pathways, but also had their own emphasis. This reflected the formulae effect mode of multi-ingredients, multi-targets and multi-pathways. It may provide clues to deeper study of molecular mechanism of Siwu decoction analogous formulae action.</p>

Dynamic analysis of alkaloids and flavonoids in Genus Morus L. in China during different harvesting time / 中国中药杂志

To investigate the optimum harvesting time and utilization of mulberry leaves during different growth periods based on the content of alkaloids and flavonoids, 88 samples of 11 species of mulberry leaves were collected and analyzed. UPLC-TQ/MS method was applied and the results showed that the ingredients of alkaloids and flavonoids in mulberry leaves are quite different in different growth periods and different species. There was a sharp decline of the average content of alkaloids in all samples from October, while the content of flavonoids dropped either from October but with less volatile. The content of flavonoids in M. atropurpurea was much higher than alkaloids, while M. australis was opposite completely. There was a sharp decline of alkaloids in M. cathayana and M. mongolica from Tuly to August, however, the content of alkaloids and flavonoids in M. alba is neither too high nor too low. In summary, it is more suitable to harvest tender mulberry leaves harvested from the end of September to beginning of October that provide a scientific evidence for rational harvest and comprehensive utilization of mulberry leaves.

Separation and evaluation of antioxidant constituents from Carthamus tinctorius / 中国中药杂志

Bio-active components from Carthamus tinctorius were separated on the basis of antioxidant capacities in vitro. The antioxidant capacity was investigated on the basis of the ability to scavenge DPPH radical, ABTS radical and reduce Fe3+ of different polar fractions. Furthermore, the chemical compounds were isolated from bio-active fraction, and were evaluated for the antioxidative effects. Five major components were isolated and identified from water extract as 6-hydroxykaempferol 3,6,7-tri-O-β-D-glucoside(1), 6-hydroxykaempferol 3-O-β-rutinoside-6-O-β-D-glucoside (2), 6-hydroxykaempferol 3-O-β-D-glucoside (3), hydroxysafflor yellow A (4) and anhydrosafflor yellow B (5). By evaluating and comparing the antioxidative effects of different fractions and obtained compounds, the results showed that water extract displayed significantly high antioxidative activities and 6-hydroxykaempferol glycosides and quinochalcone C-glycosides were found as main contribution for antioxidant property.

Change in dissolution of chemical components of frankincense-myrrh before and after their compatibility and effect on no release of LPS-induced macrophage cells / 中国中药杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the difference of chemical compounds of frankincense-myrrh before and after their compatibility, and evaluate the effect of differentiated compounds on NO generated by LPS-induced peritoneal macrophage cells in rats, in order to discuss synergetic material basis of frankincense-myrrh compatibility from the prospective of change in chemical constituents.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS combined technology was used to analyze the chemical components of frankincense-myrrh before and after their compatibility. MarkerLynx 4. 1 statistical software was used to analyze differentiated compounds before and after their compatibility.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>The results of PCA showed that there were significant differences in the combined extracts of frankincense-myrrh and the chromatogram of their combined liquid, suggesting significant differences in their chemical compounds before and after their compatibility; after their compatibility, the dissolution of pentacyclic triterpenoid (alpha-boswellic acid, beta-boswellic acid) and tetracyclic triterpenoid (elemonic acid, 3-acetoxy-16-hydroxy-dammar-24-ene, 3-hydroxytirucalla-8,24-dien-21-oic acid or 3-hydroxytirucalla-7,24-dien-21-oic acid) increased notably, while the dissolution of both yclic sesquiterpenes and macrocyclic diterpenoids decreased. According to the evaluation on in vitro activity, 2-methoxy-8, 12-epoxy-germa-1 (10), 7, 11-triene-6-ketone, 2-methoxy-5-acetoxyl-furan-germa-1 (10)-alkene-6-ketone and 3-carbonyl Euphorbia kansui-8, 24-diene-21-carboxylic acid notably inhibited NO generated by LPS-induced peritoneal macrophage cells in rats.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>These findings provide scientific basis and reference for studies on anti-inflammatory material basis of frankincense-myrrh compatibility.</p>

Research on Chinese medicine pairs (VII)--Angelicae sinensis radix-chuanxiong rhizoma / 中国中药杂志

Angelicae Sinensis Radix-Chuanxiong Rhizoma has the effects of nourishing and tonifying blood, activating blood and dissipating blood stasis, regulating menstruation and analgetic, which is commonly used Chinese medicine pair (CMP) in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic. It might be an independent formula, and is also usually used in many gynecological formulae and modern TCM prescriptions. This paper mainly analyzed and summarized the compatibility theory, bio-active constituents, compatibility effects and action mechanism, and clinical applications of the CMP, which can provide a basis for the depth research and development of the CMP.

Study on Chinese medicine pairs (V)--Their modern research strategies and approaches / 中国中药杂志

Along with progress of modern science and technology, human is utilizing natural resources and their inherent law more effectively and more efficiently according to their own purposes. Chinese medicine pair (CMP) is relatively fixed combination of two TCMs which was proven to be effective in clinical application. CMP has its inner specification, and it is an intermediate point between single herb and many TCM formulae. With the aid of modern science and technology, and by means of choosing appropriate strategies and approaches, the compatibility rules of CMP might be revealed, which will be significant to develop the compatibility theory of TCM formulae and create modern TCM new drugs.

Research on Chinese medicine pairs (III)--Their bio-active components / 中国中药杂志

The total effect of Chinese medicine pair (CMP) was not the simply addition of two single herbs, but the interaction of their different components. Therefore, the research on the bio-active components of CMP is the basis of CMP compatibility study, and has important significance for revealing the compatibility effect and action mechanism, and creating traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) new drugs. This paper summed up the latest research progress of CMP on the basis of the bio-active components variation regularity of CMP from chemical solutions and content changes in vitro and the actions of CMP on bodies in vivo, in order to further drive the modern basic and applied research of CMP, and to reveal the scientific essence of CMP compatibility.

Research on Chinese medicine pairs (I)--Their formation and development / 中国中药杂志

Chinese medicine pair (CMP) was frequently applied in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) clinic, and its significance was shown in long-term clinical practices and many accumulated experiences. It is the unique combination of two relatively fixed Chinese medicines in TCM clinic with the basic feature and principle of TCM compatibility, is the most fundamental and the simplest form of TCM formulae with certain theory basis and combinatory reason, which is proven effective. And the unique combination is frequently used for achieving mutual reinforcement or detoxication. CMP is an intermediate point between single herb and many TCM formulae, reflecting the regularity of TCM formulae compatibility and connotation of differential treatment. This paper analyzed and summarized the basic characteristics, development process and research significance of CMP, which aims to lead the modern basic and applied research on compatibility theory of CMP.