Abstract: Objective By study on the the material basis and mechanism on glycyrrhiza co-administered with sargassum pallidum, euphorbia pekinensis, euphorbia kansui and daphne genkwa, so as to provide a basis for improving the theory of incompatibility of TCM and guide the use of incompatible combinations. Methods In this paper, we analyzed the changes of the material basis before and after the combination and the effects on the toxicity of incompatible combinations in the Glycyrrhiza group of “zao ji sui yuan ju zhan cao” from the perspective of material basis by searching the domestic and foreign literature in recent years. Results The compatibility of Haizao (Sargassum), Jingdaji (Euphorbiae Pekinensis Radix), Gansui (Kansui Radix), Yuanhua (Genkwa Flos) and Gancao (Glycyrrhizae Radix Et Rhizoma) had an effect on the dissolution of toxic and effective components of incompatible combinations. After the compatibility, it may play a “toxic” or “effective” effect by promoting the release of toxic components, inhibiting the metabolism of toxic components, inhibiting the dissolution of effective components, producing new substances, and destroying the structure of substances, etc. Conclusion The opposing herbal remedies combination of the Glycyrrhiza group is not an absolute incompatibility, and it is necessary to continue to study based on the material base, combined with relevant drug toxicogenomics and metabolomics and other methods, as well as efficient technologies.

Key words: eighteen incompatible medicaments, sargassum pallidum, euphorbia pekinensis, euphorbia kansui, daphne genkwa, glycyrrhiza, material basis, incompatibility, toxic or effective effect