Tripterygii Radix et Rhizoma (TWHF) shows multiple pharmacological activities including heat-clearing and detoxifying

eliminating wind and dampness

detumescence and pain relief

killing parasites and relieving itch. The modern pharmacological researches also prove that it has anti-inflammatory

analgesic

anti-tumor

immune regulation and other effects. Based on this evidence

TWHF has been applied clinically for many disorders including immune diseases

renal disease and dermatosis disease

especially for the rheumatoid arthritis. However

its severe toxic and side effects

expecially hepatotoxicity and nephrotoxicity

prevent it from being widely used in clinical practice. Therefore

the reduction of toxicity has become a hot research topic in recent years. There are multitudinous ways for detoxicity

including the traditional cleansing method

processing method

compatibility method as well as the modern preparation method

structural modification method

biological technology method and their combined use

but all of these can't solve its safety problem essentially. In the ancient medical literature

the drug toxicity often referred to the bias of this drug. In the view of the theory of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)

all of the drugs have toxicity

and the key is their correct use. The compatibility of TCM is an important part of Chinese medicine culture. From the embryonic form of compatibility in Spring and Autumn and Warring States period to the prescriptions with compatibility between monarch and ministerial drugs in Huangdi Neijin

formation of compatibility theory in Sheng Nong's Herbal Classic and spreading of classic formulations in Treatise on Febrile Diseases

the development and significance of compatibility application of TCM was recorded. With the gradual development of TCM towards modernization and internationalization

the compatibility of TCM has been further developed with quality control and clear mechanism. In this study

with TWHF detoxicity by compatibility as the center

and based on the changes of its form

the current situation and dilemma of reducing toxicity of TWHF were analyzed to provide ideas for toxicity reducing and efficacy enhancing of T. wilfordii

promote its rational development and safe clinical application

and provide a reference for the rational use of other toxic Chinese medicines.