RESUMEN
The component structure theory on material basis of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions provides a new research thought and method for studies on traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions in line with integrated and systemic characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine. Through years of exploration and accumulation, studies on component structures have made achievements. On the basis of summarizing the component structure development of material basis of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, we systematically explained the background of component structures and their roles and progress in quality control of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions and modern innovative traditional Chinese medicine preparations. Studies on component structures promote the changes in material basis of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions, and point out the direction for the modernization development of traditional Chinese medicine prescriptions.