Study On Methodology Of Formula Synergy Research

Several thousand years of clinical practice has already confirmed efficiency of formulae, as main approaches of treatment by Chinese medicine. Synergy is a key factor in influencing clinically curative effects and hence, research on formula synergy is the core of research on formulae. Synergy is an organic combination of drugs under the guidance of synergy rules: principal, subordinate, adjuvant and guide, forming an explicit organization: where division and cooperation, synergia and restriction, and goals and functions are definite. Ancient doctors named such a reasonable synergy "corps with strict principles" . However, formula synergy varies. Changes in any ingredient, such as changes of drugs, dosage, procession of drugs, and dosage form cause many changes in efficiency. Uncertainty, differentiation and complication of formula synergy make the research on synergy law difficult. It is considered that formula synergy is ambiguous and confusing, which causes uncertainty of clinically curative effects. Slow development of formula synergy theory and clinical practice ensues.According to dialectic theory, everything has relativity. Rules exist in ambiguity and orders in confusion. It is ambiguity and confusion that necessitate the research on formula synergy. Then problems of methodology of formula synergy research must be paid attention to in search of innate orders and rules from numerous and diversified formulae so that systematism, scientificity and practice guidance of formula synergy research could be improved. Methodology of formula synergy research, a cognitive theory in mature, is a beacon light in and through the research on synergy rules. Furthermore, the methodology is also the bridge of synergy theory research and clinical practice. Research on synergy methodology is conducive to correction of guidance thought and direction of synergy research, and abundance of research approaches, and improvement of practice guidance. As research in any subject is dominated by Weltanschauung and methodology, methodology research on formula synergy is an indispensable intrinsic drive of the development of this subject.Through the history of synergy research, synergy research methods accompany the research on the subject itself. Since Cheng Wuji initiated the research mode of formula synergy theory in Jin dynasty, theory research has been a main measure in search of synergy law., Recently, with the development of science and technology, understanding of formula synergy has been advanced, and research approaches have increased. But, some drawbacks exist in every research methods. For example, literature theory research mostly follows Cheng Wuji’ s mode in "Discussion of Formulae in Treatise on Febrile Diseases" , which gave an explanation to reasonability of drugs in prescriptions, but paid less attention to synergy approaches and prescription rules. Although some achievements in basic drugs and active ingredients by pharmacological and chemical methods have made, theory outcomes are still confined in labs and have yet to be applied in clinical practice. Data gained by mathematic methods and information technology and observation of curative effects of traditional prescriptions and empirical formulae is reductive, explanative and confirmative Some new concepts and theories or research outcomes introduced from sunrising subjects have not been very helpful to practice.Chinese medicine originating from plain ancient materialism is guided by philosophical thoughts. Therefore, formulae as main carriers treating diseases are influenced by philosophical dialectic thoughts. Making new breakthroughs in formula synergy research is on the basis of correct theories and methods. Combining holistic systematic principles, and scientific thoughts with concert methods is a an effective way to explore essence and intrinsic rules in formulae.This paper discusses subjects, nature and characteristics of formula synergy methodology. This research is an dynamic and everlasting exploring process. As scientific research begins from problems, discovering problems and determining research topics is the most important in formula synergy research. It is essential to understand how to select research topics, make research plans and collect and accumulate materials. Whether the method is correct is a very important factor to influence the outcomes of the synergy research.. Logical thinking methods, for example, induction and deduction, analysis and synthesis abstract and concrete ,analogy and hypothesis are indispensable. Besides, people have been paying more and more attention to the role illogical thinking methods, such as methods of imaginal thinking and of inspiration thinking play in the research. Achievements of this research must be expressed by synergy system mode. Buildup of this system must follow principles of materialistic theory of reflection and those of dialectic logics. Developing law of this research is represented in theoretical patterns and its methods and manifestation patterns are established. Once it has formed, the theory system must be practiced and appraised, and then be accepted and applied in clinic practice to realize its values. The appraisal and appraisal standards should be verified by practice and also by logics.This paper discusses application of methodology in synergy research in combination of research outcomes and puts forward some views. First, origination and development of prescriptions, as a part of Chinese medicine, can not part with dialectic materialism. So, its research is dependent on philosophic dialectic thoughts. Second, methodological problems such as emergence, formation, verification and evaluation of synergy research are systematically discussed so that theories and clinic practice can be closely related.The goal of research on formula synergy research methodology, a thought subject, is to try to find universal rules from complicated formula synergy research and make efforts to specify them in order to conduce to synergy research. of concrete formulae.