中医方剂是一个复杂系统，其主要特征是表征被研究对象的各指标之间呈非线性关系，不遵循线性系统的叠加原理，以往线性的研究模式难以有效反映其中的配伍机制。本项目以麻黄汤为例，在以往研究的基础上，正交组合麻黄汤各药味的有效部位（麻黄总生物碱、桂枝挥发油、甘草总皂苷、甘草总黄酮）和有效成分（苦杏仁苷）不同用量配比的16个组方，HPLC、HPLC/MS测定各组方在实验动物体内主要成分或者代谢组分的含量变化，构建系统指纹图谱；同步测定各组方解热、发汗、平喘、抗流感病毒的药效学指标；然后运用复杂系统的协同学原理对麻黄汤各组分和药效随时间的动态变化进行非线性拟合，确定反映麻黄汤组分与药效之间时间—空间关系的最佳模型；最终求解相应的序参量方程，以解析麻黄汤各组分在体内的变化规律和作用机制，阐释麻黄汤的配伍原理。协同学理论可探讨中医方剂复杂系统中各组分间合作、竞争的非线性关系，为中医方剂配伍研究提供新的方法。

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription is a Complex system, whose main feature is the nonlinear relationships among the indexes characterized the subjects. Since these indexes do not follow the superposition principle of linear system, the linear research model is difficult to effectively reflect the compatibility mechanism of TCM prescription..This project chooses Mahuang Tang as the model prescription. Based on the previous results, sixteen prescriptions of different dosage ratio are combined orthogonally from four effective parts (Ephedra total alkaloids, Cassia twig volatile oil, Glycyrrhiza total saponins and Glycyrrhiza total flavonoids) and a effective compound (amygdalin) of four herbs in Mahuang Tang. Then the content fluctuations of the major compounds and metabolic compounds in the experimental animals are detected by HPLC or LC/MS, and the systematic fingerprints are constructed. The potency indicators such as antipyretic, diaphoretic, antispasmodic and ant-influenza virus effects are assessed simultaneously. The time-dependent dynamic changes of ingredients and efficacy are non-linearly fitted using the Synergetics principle of Complex system, and the optimal model to reflect the chronological-spatial relations is determined. Finally the corresponding order parameter equations are solved to analyze the componential change rules in vivo and the action mechanism, and decipher the compatibility principle of Mahuang Tang..The Synergetic theory can be applied to study the complicated nonlinear relationships like cooperation and competition among the components of TCM prescription, which provides a new method for the compatibility research on TCM prescription.