System biology and its application in compound recipe of traditional Chinese medicine study

The authors of this paper discussed different thoughts and methods of system biology and its applications in TCM formula study. The research and development of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) formula has attracted increasing attention in the TCM industry for many years. But the basis and mechanism of TCM has not been explained clearly yet, due to its multicomponent and multitarget nature. System biology could provide novel insights into the TCM research. Therefore, some difficulties in TCM formula study including physical basis of TCM therapeutic effects, rules of compatibility, pharmacology, and action mechanism will be well illustrated in an effective manner. The problem of "black box" in TCM study will be fully understood with the help of system biology.