Exploration of Action Patterns and Mechanisms of Traditional Chinese Medicine Incompatibility of Qi–Qing Antagonism and Mutual Inhibition/Restraint based on Drug Interaction

This paper proposes three kinds of action patterns of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) incompatibility based on the theories of Seven Ways of Compatibility and Drug Interaction. These are toxification and potential toxicity action pattern embodied in the characteristic of antagonism, efficiency reduction, and decrease in effect—patterns reflected by the characteristics of mutual inhibition/restraint and toxic-effect multiple action patterns embodying the complex characteristics of antagonism and mutual inhibition/restraint. In addition, we put forward eight possible mechanisms of TCM incompatibility. They are potential toxicity by promoting the release of toxic substances, potential toxicity by producing new toxic components, potential toxicity because of increased toxic components resulting from mutual transformation of chemical constituents, efficiency reduction through inhibiting the dissolving of active components, efficiency reduction through inactivating the active components, toxification that results from toxic metabolites generated in vivo based on drug interaction, adverse effects caused by affecting the physiological disposition of incompatibility combinations, and adverse effects caused by regulating and controlling the drug metabolic enzymes. Furthermore, the authors discussed the correlations between the different action patterns and mechanisms and relationships of the seven ways of compatibility. These opinions would provide references for understanding and researching the essences of TCM incompatibility.