中文摘要：

在比较药动学中经典房室模型和生理药动学模型（PBPK模型）的基础上，介绍了生理药动学模型在中药研究中的作用。与经典房室模型相比，生理药动学模型可以模拟和预测药物在器官和组织内的药动学过程，提供难以（或无法）通过实验获取的药代参数（如代谢速率常数等），预测和外推药物的药动过程和提供内剂量经时过程，在药代药动层面辅助药物的作用机制研究等方面具有更大的优势。在中药研究过程中，生理药动学模型可以在完善中药药性（归经）理论、探索中药复方配伍规律、探索含马兜铃酸类药物及有毒中药的作用机理等方面可发挥积极作用。

英文摘要：

This review briefly compared the compartmental modeling with physiologically based pharmacokinetic （PBPK） modeling, and proposed potential utilities of PBPK modeling in studying Traditional Chinese Medicines. Unlike the compartmental modeling that is usually data- based, PBPK modeling is mechanism -based, and thus a more scientifically sound process. PBPK modeling describes and, more importantly, predicts pharmacokinetic behaviors of a drug in tissues or organs, determining the parameters that are not readily available through experimentation （e. g. , metabolism rate constant）, performing interspecies extrapolations, and facilitating the identification of therapeutic mechanisms at the level of pharmacokinetics. PBPK modeling is likely to play an essential role in TCM studies. The utilities proposed include （1） improve the meridian tropism theories, （2） explore compatible patterns of traditional Chinese medicine, and （3） identify toxicological mechanisms of toxic medicines such as aristolochic acid.