ABSTRACT
Achievements of the 30-year research work on Pi-Wei Doctrine were summarized. They are: (1) ratio of salivin activity and excretion rate of D-xylose in patients with spleen deficiency are different from those in the normal subjects;(2) the principle of syndrome differentiation and treatment is embodied in the methodology of herbal medicine pharmacology for complex prescription; (3) the above findings are further confirmed by the research in molecular and cellular level which indicates that TCM syndromes and pharmacological mechanisms of herbal medicines have their material basis and the regulatory effect of complex prescription on TCM syndromes is actually the pharmacological mechanism of herbal medicines. It is suggested that the research of herbal medicine should be based on the guidance of traditional Chinese medicinal theory and carried out in clinical practice.