A comparative study of consistency between Paeonia rubra hort traditional decoction and dispensing granule decoctions from different sources

Abstract

Objective

To compare the consistency between the decoction of Paeonia rubra hort dispensing granules from different manufacturers and traditional decoction (TD), and to provide a reference for the clinical application of Paeonia rubra hort dispensing granules.

Methods

Nine batches of Paeonia rubra hort dispensing granules (from three manufacturers, A, B, and C) and 20 batches of Paeonia rubra hort decoction pieces were collected. The contents of four active components in vivo and in vitro were determined by HPLC and UPLC-MS/MS, respectively. The consistency of the Paeonia rubra hort decoction pieces and dispensing granules were compared based on the Criteria Importance Though Intercrieria Correlation (CRITIC) weighting method and the equivalent correction suggestions (1 g of dispensing granule equals the same amount of Chinese herbal samples) were put forward for the dispensing granules.

Results

The total content of active ingredients in vivo and in vitro of manufacturer A was significantly lower than that of TD (p < 0.05), and the total content of active ingredients in vivo of manufacturer C was significantly lower than that of TD (p < 0.05); The equivalent of manufacturer A and manufacturer C should be corrected from 1:11 and 1:5 to 1:5 and 1:4, respectively.

Conclusion

The quality of Paeonia rubra hort dispensing granule decoction from some manufacturers aligns that of TD, but the other is slightly inferior to that of TD. After appropriate equivalent correction, quality consistency can be achieved with TD.

Graphical Abstract

Keywords:

• Material basis
• Paeonia rubra hort
• dispensing granule decoction
• traditional decoction
• consistency

Author contributions

Ruixin Liu conceptualized and designed the research. Junhan Shi, Lijie Ma and Huijie Zhang had made contributions to the study of vitro. Lu Zhang, Yanli Wang and Xinjing Gui contributed to the study of vivo. Qingxiao Wang, Wenhao Feng, Manwen Xu and Haibo Wang contributed to the equivalent correction. Lijie Ma and Qingxiao Wang also contributed toward data analysis, drafted and revised the paper, so Lijie Ma and Qingxiao Wang contributed equally to this work. Jing Yao and Ruixin Liu reviewed and critically revised the manuscript, and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by grants from the National Natural Science Foundation of China [No. 81773892], the Top Talents Training Program of Traditional Chinese Medicine of Henan Province [No. 2019ZYBJ07], Henan Province High-Level Talents Special Support ‘Central Plains Thousand Talents Plan’ – ‘Central Plains Youth Top Talents’ Project [ZYQR201912158] and Henan Provincial Health Young and Middle-aged Academic Leader Project [HNSWJW-2020014].