Preparation and Quality Control of Cinnamomi Ramulus Formula Granules based on Traditional Standard Decoction / 中国药学杂志

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To prepare Cinnamomi Ramulus standard decoction according to the traditional decoction method, and study the preparation process and quality control of Cinnamomi Ramulus formula granules. METHODS: The standard decoctions of 16 batches of Cinnamomi Ramulus were prepared using decocting pot. The extracting rate, contents and transfer rates of cinnamic acid and cinnamaldehyde were calculated. The preparation process of Cinnamomi Ramulus dispensing granules was improved based on the parameters of standard decoction. The volatile oil was collected while extracting, and the β-cyclodextrin inclusion technology was applied in the granulation process. Based on the parameters of standard decoction, the quality standard of Cinnamomi Ramulus formula granules was established. RESULTS: The extracting rate of Cinnamomi Ramulus standard decoction was 3.58%-6.10%; the cinnamic acid content was 0.99%-2.59% and the transfer rate was 39.56%-62.28%; while the cinnamaldehyde content was 1.95%-4.69% and the transfer rate was 4.76%-7.85%. According to the standard decoction, 1 g of Cinnamomi Ramulus formula granules was equivalent to 14 g of pieces, containing cinnamic acid (0.50%-1.43%) and cinnamaldehyde (0.98%-3.50%). Six characteristic peaks in specific spectra were confirmed, including protocatechuic acid (1), coumarin (2), cinnamic acid (3), 2-methoxycinnamic acid (4), cinnamaldehyde (5) and 2-methoxycinnamaldehyde (6). CONCLUSION: In this study, the quality parameters of Cinnamomi Ramulus standard decoction are determined by traditional decocting pot. The strategy of establishing the preparation process and quality standard of Cinnamomi Ramulus formula granules based on standard decoction is proposed. It can provide reference for the research of Cinnamomi Ramulus dispensing granules and other Chinese medicine preparations containing volatile oil.