[Defining and characterization of supramolecular complexes in TCM formulations]

The supramolecular perspective offers a path distinct from component analysis for understanding the material basis of TCM compatibility, shifting the research focus from co-existence of components to formation of structures. It is common that precipitates or colloidal particles appear after co-decocting of medicinal materials, while such phenomena mostly reflect phase changes in the system and are insufficient to directly identify stable and definable supramolecular complexes. Against this background, this paper systematically reviews the determination path of supramolecular structures induced by compatibility along the evidence progression logic from phenomenon particles to causal complexes, and proposes a four-level evidence system consisting of phenomenological evidence(L1), intermolecular interaction evidence( L2), evidence of structural integrity and reversibility( L3), and functional causal evidence(L4). Furthermore, this paper distills the minimum evidence set(MES) supporting the judgment of structural existence. By critically evaluating the application conditions and limitations of commonly used characterization techniques in TCM systems, this paper aims to provide a more operational and reproducible analytical framework for supramolecular research on TCM compatibility, enabling different research conclusions to be understood and compared within a unified evidence context.