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Coptidis Rhizoma (CR) holds significant clinical importance. In this study, we conducted a comparative analysis of CR's dispensing granule decoction (DGD) and traditional decoction (TD) to establish a comprehensive evaluation method for the quality of DGD. We selected nine batches of DGD (three from each of manufacturers A, B and C) and 10 batches of decoction pieces for analysis. We determined the content of representative components using high‐performance liquid chromatography and assessed the content of blood components in vivo post‐administration using ultra‐performance liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry. The antibacterial activity was measured using the drug‐sensitive tablet method. To evaluate the overall consistency of DGD and TD, we employed the CRITIC method and Grey relational analysis method. Our CRITIC results indicated no significant difference between the CRITIC scores of DGD‐B and TD, with DGD‐B exhibiting the highest consistency and overall quality. However, DGD‐A and DGD‐C showed variations in CRITIC scores compared with TD. After equivalent correction, the quality of DGD‐A and DGD‐C approached that of TD. Furthermore, our Grey relational analysis results supported the findings of the CRITIC method. This study offers a novel approach to evaluate the consistency between DGD and TD, providing insights into improving the quality of DGD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of the present study was to carry out a systematic research on bitterness quantification to provide a reference for scholars and pharmaceutical developers to carry out drug taste masking research. Significance: The bitterness of medications poses a significant concern for clinicians and patients. Scientifically measuring the intensity of drug bitterness is pivotal for enhancing drug palatability and broadening their clinical utility. Methods: The current study was carried out by conducting a systematic literature review that identified relevant papers from indexed databases. Numerous studies and research are cited and quoted in this article to summarize the features, strengths, and applicability of quantitative bitterness assessment methods. Results: In our research, we systematically outlined the classification and key advancements in quantitative research methods for assessing drug bitterness, including in vivo quantification techniques such as traditional human taste panel methods, as well as in vitro quantification methods such as electronic tongue analysis. It focused on the quantitative methods and difficulties of bitterness of natural drugs with complex system characteristics and their difficulties in quantification, and proposes possible future research directions. Conclusion: The quantitative methods of bitterness were summarized, which laid an important foundation for the construction of a comprehensive bitterness quantification standard system and the formulation of accurate, efficient and rich taste masking strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dispensing granules of Chinese medicine (DGCM) have emerged as a more convenient alternative to traditional decoction (TD) of Chinese medicine, gaining popularity in recent years. However, the debate surrounding the consistency of DGCM compared to TD remains unresolved. In this study, three batches of Baishao and Gancao DGCM were obtained from manufacturers A, B, and C, and 15 batches of crude drugs were procured from hospital pharmacies for the preparation of dispensing granule decoction (DGD) and TD of Shaoyao‐Gancao decoction (SGD). The HPLC‐UV method was employed to determine the levels of gallic acid, paeoniflorin, albiflorin, liquiritin, liquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin apioside, isoliquiritin, glycyrrhizic acid, and isoliquiritigenin. The analgesic and antispasmodic effects were assessed using the hot plate and acetic acid writhing test in mice. To evaluate the consistency of chemical constituents and pharmacological effects between the two decoctions, the Criteria Importance Though Intercriteria Correlation (CRITIC) method combined with chemometrics was employed. Grey relation analysis (GRA) was used to assess the comprehensive quality consistency of the two decoctions. The CRITIC results revealed certain differences in chemical constituents and pharmacological effects between the selected DGCM and TD. Notably, DGD‐A/C exhibited a significant difference from TD (p > 0.05), whereas DGD‐B demonstrated no significant difference from TD (p > 0.05). The GRA analysis demonstrated that the overall quality consistency between DGD‐B and TD was the highest among the three manufacturers. This study presents a method for evaluating the quality consistency of DGCM and TD of SGD, offering novel insights into the evaluation of consistency between DGCM and TD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]