SZBC-AI4TCM: a comprehensive web-based computing platform for traditional Chinese medicine research and development.

Introduction: In recent years, the increasing complexity and volume of data in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) research have rendered the conventional experimental methods inadequate for modern TCM development. The analysis of intricate TCM data demands proficiency in multiple programming languages, artificial intelligence (AI) techniques, and bioinformatics, posing significant challenges for researchers lacking such expertise. Thus, there is an urgent need to develop user-friendly software tools that encompass various aspects of TCM data analysis. Methods: We developed a comprehensive web-based computing platform, SZBC-AI4TCM, a comprehensive web-based computing platform for traditional Chinese medicine that embodies the "ShuZhiBenCao" (Digital Herbal) concept through artificial intelligence, designed to accelerate TCM research and reduce costs by integrating advanced AI algorithms and bioinformatics tools. Results: Leveraging machine learning, deep learning, and big data analytics, the platform enables end-to-end analysis, from TCM formulation and mechanism elucidation to drug screening. Featuring an intuitive visual interface and hardware-software acceleration, SZBC-AI4TCM allows researchers without computational backgrounds to conduct comprehensive and accurate analyses efficiently. By using the TCM research in Alzheimer's disease as an example, we showcase its functionalities, operational methods, and analytical capabilities. Discussion: SZBC-AI4TCM not only provides robust computational support for TCM research but also significantly enhances efficiency and reduces costs. It offers novel approaches for studying complex TCM systems, thereby advancing the modernization of TCM. As interdisciplinary collaboration and cloud computing continue to evolve, SZBC-AI4TCM is poised to play a strong role in TCM research and foster its growth in addition to contributing to global health. SZBC-AI4TCM is publicly for access at https://ai.tasly.com/ui/\#/frontend/login.