Objective: To analyze the composing principles of herbs in the prescriptions for treating polycystic ovary syndrome by using Traditional Chinese Medicine Inheritance System

and make predictions of new formulations according to the composing principles. Method: The literatures on prescriptions for experimentally treating polycystic ovary syndrome in China national knowledge infrastructure (CNKI) were collected and a database was set up

then traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) inheritance system was used to analyze the composing principles of herbs in the prescriptions. Result: The 166 literatures on the prescriptions in the database were screened to achieve 38 commonly used herbs

11 common composing principles

22 core combinations of new prescriptions and 11 new prescriptions. Conclusion: Composing principles of herbs in the prescriptions for treating polycystic ovary syndrome be showed by TCM inheritance system.Analysis shows that the drugs for polycystic ovary syndrome are mainly kidney invigorating

blood circulating and phlegm removing drugs. The new prescriptions obtained by cluster analysis have similar treatment effect with the common prescriptions such as Guizhi Fuling capsule

Guishao Dihuang Tang combined with Yueju Wan

Jiawei Daotan decoction for polycystic ovary syndrome

but the new prescriptions also have spleen invigorating and liver soothing herbs to achieve spleen and liver regulating effect. Its compatibility combinations conform to the main treatment ideas of kidney invigorating

blood circulating and phlegm removing

helpful to guide clinical practice

and provide certain basis for clinical development and use of new drugs.