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Peer-reviewedCC BYJournal of Pharmaceutical Analysis

Fusion of tradition and modernity: Advances in Chinese materia medica self-assembly-driven study on compatibility and processing

  • Li Li1
  • Jiawei Li2
  • Xudong He2
  • Yue Zhou2
  • Juanhong Lei2
  • Shibo Yu2
  • Dan Li2
  • Pingyan Ding2
  • Oluwaniyi Isaiah Adejobi2
  • Xia Chen3
  • Mei Zhang4
  • Jie Yu5
5 affiliations
  1. 1Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China; Joint Graduate School of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215105, China
  2. 2Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China
  3. 3Department of Spleen and Stomach Disease, The First Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650021, China; Corresponding author.
  4. 4Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China; Corresponding author.
  5. 5Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China; Joint Graduate School of Traditional Chinese Medicine of China, Suzhou, Jiangsu, 215105, China; Corresponding author. Yunnan Key Laboratory of Southern Medicine Utilization, Yunnan University of Chinese Medicine, Kunming, 650500, China.
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Abstract

Rooted in Chinese medicine theory, the compatibility and processing of Chinese materia medica (CMM) have played a vital role in clinical practice for millennia. These practices employ multifaceted approaches such as the Monarch-Minister-Assistant-Guide, the four properties, Qiqing (seven effects), and various processing techniques to enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce toxicity, improve palatability, and generate novel pharmacological effects. Despite their longstanding history, the global application of CMM remains limited, largely due to an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying compatibility and processing. Recent studies have demonstrated that bioactive components in CMM often undergo spontaneous self-assembly, forming nanoscale aggregates through noncovalent interactions. These self-assembled aggregates offer a novel material basis for pharmacological activities, addressing the limitations of traditional decoctions and offering new perspectives for the development and application of CMM formulations. This review compiles and analyzes 121 academic publications published from 1995 to 2025 that explore the intersection of nanotechnology with CMM compatibility or processing. It outlines the bioactive constituents and mechanisms involved in the formation of CMM self-assembled aggregates. Furthermore, it examines methods for separation and preparation, advanced characterization techniques, and the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of CMM self-assembled aggregates. Focal attention is given to the role of self-assembly in enhancing the compatibility and processing of CMM. In addition, the environmental impact and sustainability of using CMM self-assembled aggregates are also discussed. Finally, the review identifies five unresolved challenges and proposes six future research directions, with the aim of advancing the study of CMM compatibility and processing, and promoting the internationalization, modernization, and precision application of CMM.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{li2026fusion,
  title = {{Fusion of tradition and modernity: Advances in Chinese materia medica self-assembly-driven study on compatibility and processing}},
  author = {Li Li and Jiawei Li and Xudong He and Yue Zhou and Juanhong Lei and Shibo Yu and Dan Li and Pingyan Ding and Oluwaniyi Isaiah Adejobi and Xia Chen and Mei Zhang and Jie Yu},
  journal = {Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101554},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101554},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Fusion of tradition and modernity: Advances in Chinese materia medica self-assembly-driven study on compatibility and processing
AU  - Li Li
AU  - Jiawei Li
AU  - Xudong He
AU  - Yue Zhou
AU  - Juanhong Lei
AU  - Shibo Yu
AU  - Dan Li
AU  - Pingyan Ding
AU  - Oluwaniyi Isaiah Adejobi
AU  - Xia Chen
AU  - Mei Zhang
AU  - Jie Yu
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/01
JO  - Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis
DO  - 10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101554
UR  - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpha.2026.101554
AB  - Rooted in Chinese medicine theory, the compatibility and processing of Chinese materia medica (CMM) have played a vital role in clinical practice for millennia. These practices employ multifaceted approaches such as the Monarch-Minister-Assistant-Guide, the four properties, Qiqing (seven effects), and various processing techniques to enhance therapeutic efficacy, reduce toxicity, improve palatability, and generate novel pharmacological effects. Despite their longstanding history, the global application of CMM remains limited, largely due to an incomplete understanding of the mechanisms underlying compatibility and processing. Recent studies have demonstrated that bioactive components in CMM often undergo spontaneous self-assembly, forming nanoscale aggregates through noncovalent interactions. These self-assembled aggregates offer a novel material basis for pharmacological activities, addressing the limitations of traditional decoctions and offering new perspectives for the development and application of CMM formulations. This review compiles and analyzes 121 academic publications published from 1995 to 2025 that explore the intersection of nanotechnology with CMM compatibility or processing. It outlines the bioactive constituents and mechanisms involved in the formation of CMM self-assembled aggregates. Furthermore, it examines methods for separation and preparation, advanced characterization techniques, and the pharmacokinetics/pharmacodynamics (PK/PD) of CMM self-assembled aggregates. Focal attention is given to the role of self-assembly in enhancing the compatibility and processing of CMM. In addition, the environmental impact and sustainability of using CMM self-assembled aggregates are also discussed. Finally, the review identifies five unresolved challenges and proposes six future research directions, with the aim of advancing the study of CMM compatibility and processing, and promoting the internationalization, modernization, and precision application of CMM.
SN  - 2095-1779
SN  - 2214-0883
ER  -