Construction and development of a discipline system for the science of Chinese Materia Medica from the perspective of systems science

Science of Chinese Materia Medica (SCMM) is grounded in the theoretical foundation of holistic philosophy, whereas systems science studies the synergistic evolution of multiple elements within a system as a whole. Integrating these two fields can help clarify the complexities of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and advance its modernization. Systematic TCM (SYSTCM), guided by TCM theory and systems science, uses multidisciplinary technologies, including systems biology and artificial intelligence, to elucidate the fundamental theories and clinical applications of TCM. This paper reviews the background and evolution of SYSTCM, drawing on the experience of Beijing University of Chinese Medicine in constructing the SYSTCM disciplinary framework. It further elaborates on the definition and methodology of SYSTCM, as well as its theoretical framework, research approaches, and technical systems across secondary disciplines within SCMM. This study discusses paradigm shifts from traditional SCMM to SYSTCM through case studies by applying the core principles of SYSTCM, including holism, hierarchy, and dynamism. These studies encompass the discovery of efficacy markers for TCM, the scientific interpretation of TCM, the dynamic patterns of analogous formulae, and the analysis of disease progression dynamics. SYSTCM provides theoretical and technological support for elucidating the scientific essence of SCMM, developing and producing TCM, and enabling precision clinical applications. It also establishes a theoretical interface for integrating TCM with modern science.