Network pharmacology: a new approach to translational medical research and traditional Chinese medicine

Network pharmacology: a new approach to translational medical research and traditional Chinese medicine

摘要

The formulae and ZHENG/syndromes are the key features of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Currently, new methods and approaches are urgently needed to understand the biological basis of Chinese herbal formulae and ZHENG/syndromes in translational medical research on Chinese medicine. With the launch of system biology, network medicine and network pharmacology based on bio-molecular networks are expected to systematically describe the holistic characteristics of Chinese medicine, explain the biological basis of ZHENG/syndromes in Chinese medicine and interpret the material basis for the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions from a new perspective. This article will briefly discuss the current state of translational medical research in Chinese medicine, the roles of bio-molecular networks in this research and its prospects for the future application.