肝郁脾虚证是指肝失疏泄，脾失健运而表现以胸胁胀痛、腹胀、便溏等为主症的证候。又称肝脾不和证。临床上多以炒白芍和炒白术配伍治疗此证。传统理论认为炒制可引药入脾，且白芍长于养血柔肝，白术善于健脾化湿，二药配对，则相使为用，达到土中泻木，共奏调肝和脾、补气养血的目的。虽然二药的化学成分研究较为深入，但其炮制、配伍的机制则远未明晰。本项目以治疗肝郁脾虚证的典型药对白芍-白术为研究对象，采用体液微透析-UPLC /MS联用及多光谱成像分析技术，研究白芍、白术炒制前后、配伍前后物质成分的量变与质变规律以及作用于肝郁脾虚模型动物的生物学特性规律，确定与白芍-白术药对治疗肝郁脾虚证密切相关的药效物质基础，阐明药物炮制、配伍以及作用机理。本项目的开展，为白芍、白术的开发、合理制药和临床用药提供理论依据，并探讨中药"柔肝健脾"作用机理及"体液药化-组织生物效应模式"研究中药炮制与配伍机理的新思路。

The syndrome of liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency is defined as liver dysfunction and dys-splenism characterized by painful distension of the hypochondrium, abdominal distension, and passing of loose stool. In clinics, compatibility of Radix Paeoniae Alba and Atractylodis Macrocephalae by frying is often prescribed to treat this condition. Practitioners of traditional medicine believe that frying enhances the efficacy of the medicine. Radix Paeoniae Alba nourishes the blood and liver, and Atractylodis Macrocephalae helps invigorate the spleen and eliminate dampness. Thus, the compatibility of these 2 medicines could help achieve the goal of purging wood from the earth, regulating functions of the liver and spleen, nourishing the blood, and benefiting qi. Although the compositions of these 2 medicines have been extensively studied, the appropriate method for processing these medicines and the mechanism underlying their compatibility remain unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate the quantitative, qualitative, pre-processing, and post-processing changes in the composition and compatibility of Radix Paeoniae Alba and Atractylodis Macrocephalae and to determine the effects of these 2 medicines by using an animal model of liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency. Further, this study attempts to confirm the therapeutic material basis of these 2 medicines for the treatment of syndrome of liver qi stagnation and spleen deficiency and to determine the appropriate processing method and mechanism underlying the compatibility of these medicines. The pharmaceutical ingredients in these 2 medicines were analyzed by microdialysis technique coupled with ultra-performance liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS) and multi-spectral imaging microscopy. This work could serve as a theoretical basis for the development of medicines from white peony root and white atractylodes rhizome, reasonable pharmacy, and clinical medication. Furthermore, it provides new insights into the investigation of "softening of the liver and nourishing of the spleen" in traditional Chinese medicine and for the study of the appropriate processing method for these medicines and mechanism underlying their compatibility in a humor drugged tissue biological effects pattern.