OBJECTIVETo provide a new approach for studying the compatibility principle of traditional Chinese medicine formula (TCMF) by constructing compatibility network of phamarcologic action of TCMF according to the network theory.

METHODWith Chinese herb as node and compatibility relationship of herb-herb as edge according to network theory, compatibility network of phamarcologic action of TCMF was constructed after the compatibility relationship of herb-herb was analysed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA)through phamarcology experiment. Then compatibility principle of TCMF was analysed with network efficiency (NE) and NE related parameters.

RESULTThe network approach was applied for studying compatibility principle of Jiawei Shengmai San on it's antimyocardial ischemia reperfusion injury action. The results indicated that rhizoma corydalis was the main herb in Jiawei Shengmai San, and in turn was radix ophiopogonois, radix salvia miltiorrhiza, radix ginseng and fructus schizandrae, radix ginseng and radix salvia was clustered first, and in turn was radix, Formule composed of ophiopogonois and fructus schizandrae. Formule composed of radix ginseng and radix salvia, and radix ophiopogonois and fructus schizandrae; radix ginseng, radix salvia miltiorrhiza and rhizoma corydalis was the most effective one among all the formulaes. These results were consistent with validation experiments.

CONCLUSIONStudying compatibility principle of TCMF by network theory is a new and feasible method.