A precise water adding method for traditional Chinese medicine decoction preparation

Abstract

The present application relates to a precise water adding method for traditional Chinese medicine decoction preparation, which can effectively solve the problem that the water adding amount of traditional Chinese medicine decoction is not accurate and objective, and the quality of the decoction cannot be guaranteed. The method is as follows: measuring the evaporation rate of the decoction utensil, measuring the water absorption rate of the decoction piece, weighing the decoction piece and placing it in a beaker, gently shaking to make the decoction piece evenly distributed at the bottom of the beaker, adding water to the level of the medicine surface, recording the water adding amount, taking the average value by parallel determination for three times, calculating the liquid-solid ratio of the decoction piece according to the ratio of the water adding amount to the weight of the decoction piece when the water is added to the level of the medicine surface, and establishing the precise water adding amount according to the three factors of the liquid-solid ratio water adding amount of the decoction piece, the water absorption amount of the decoction piece and the evaporation amount of the decoction utensil. The method is scientific and reasonable, easy to operate, and the water adding amount calculation is accurate, and has wide application range, which can be applied to different decoction utensils and different decoction methods. It is a great innovation in the water adding amount calculation method of traditional Chinese medicine decoction, which can effectively guarantee the quality and curative effect of traditional Chinese medicine decoction, and has significant economic and social benefits.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to traditional Chinese medicine, and in particular to a precise method for adding water in the preparation of traditional Chinese medicine decoctions. Background Technology

[0002] Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) decoctions are liquid dosage forms that use water as a solvent, remove the dregs, and extract the liquid for internal or external use. They are the earliest, most widely used, and most representative traditional dosage form of TCM, characterized by individualization, definite efficacy, the ability to adjust dosages according to individual symptoms, and flexible application, making them widely used in clinical practice. With the development and application of new decoction equipment, TCM decoction preparation has shifted from traditional decoction to machine-assisted decoction, and from "one dose, one decoction" to "multiple doses, one decoction." While machine-assisted decoction improves efficiency and reduces the inconvenience for patients, inaccurate water addition can amplify the deviation in liquid volume by several or even dozens of times when several or even a dozen doses of a prescription are decocted together. Since there is no concentration step in decoction preparation, excessive liquid not only wastes medicinal materials and affects patient adherence but also reduces the concentration and efficacy of the decoction. Therefore, scientifically and rationally determining the amount of water added is a crucial technical aspect for ensuring the quality of decoctions, guaranteeing the clinical efficacy of TCM, and promoting the long-term development of TCM decoctions.

[0003] Currently, the most common method for adding water when preparing traditional Chinese medicine decoctions is to "immerse the herbs 2-5 cm above the surface" as specified in the "Management Standards for Traditional Chinese Medicine Decoction Rooms in Medical Institutions" (referred to as the traditional decoction water addition method). However, this process has a wide range of parameters and is easily affected by subjective factors. Furthermore, if the volume of the medicinal herbs is large, the amount of water added can vary by more than two times. Additionally, the amount of water added will differ depending on the bottom area of ​​the different decoction containers used. These factors can lead to excessive liquid volume and insufficient concentration, making it difficult for patients to effectively take the medicine, resulting in wasted medicinal materials and poor efficacy. In 2016, Chen Shilin et al. proposed the concept of a standard decoction of traditional Chinese medicine herbs. Their description of the water addition during the preparation process is as follows: roots and rhizomes, seeds and fruits, and branches, bark, and vines. For the first decoction of certain types of medicinal slices, add 8 times the amount of water; for the second decoction, add 7 times the amount of water. For flower, leaf, and herb slices, add 12 times the amount of water for the first decoction and 10 times the amount of water for the second decoction. Although this method quantifies the amount of water according to the medicinal part for easier control (called the standard decoction water addition method), it is still based on the principle of "soaking the herbs 2-5 cm above the surface," and only considers the dosage of the medicinal slices. However, the physical properties of medicinal slices from the same medicinal part can vary significantly. According to previous studies on water absorption rates, the average water absorption rate of the first decoction of Prunella vulgaris and Perilla frutescens, both fruits, differs by a factor of 5 (Prunella vulgaris: 433.04%; Perilla frutescens: 81.23%). Therefore, it is inappropriate to specify the same amount of water for medicinal slices from the same medicinal part. In addition, standard decoctions need to be concentrated to achieve their specified concentration during use. Therefore, the problem of excessive liquid volume in decoctions prepared using this method remains unresolved. Therefore, there is an urgent need to establish an objective and quantitative method for adding water that takes into account both the physical properties of Chinese medicinal herbs and the quality of decoction, in order to guide the preparation of Chinese herbal decoctions and ensure their quality and efficacy. While CN2015108289743 describes a method for determining the amount of water to add when decocting Chinese herbal decoctions in a closed, integrated decoction machine, the water absorption rate given by this method is an estimation rather than a scientific calculation. This method is highly susceptible to randomness due to human factors, making it difficult to accurately calculate the amount of water to add. The accuracy of the water absorption rate calculation directly affects the accuracy of the water addition. Furthermore, this method is only applicable to Chinese medicinal herbs used more than 10% of the time, excluding many other herbs and lacking general applicability. Therefore, developing a method with universal applicability for Chinese herbal decoctions and for accurately calculating the amount of water to add remains a pressing technical problem. Summary of the Invention

[0004] In view of the above situation and to overcome the defects of the prior art, the purpose of this invention is to provide a precise water addition method for the preparation of traditional Chinese medicine decoctions, which can effectively solve the problem that the quality of the decoction cannot be guaranteed due to inaccurate and subjective water addition, thus affecting the efficacy.

[0005] The technical solution provided by this invention is a precise water addition method for preparing traditional Chinese medicine decoctions, comprising the following steps:

[0006] (1) Determination of the evaporation rate of cooking utensils:

[0007] Measure 1L of water and place it in a decoction vessel. First, heat it over high heat until the water boils, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 60 minutes. Weigh the total weight of the decoction vessel and water at the 10-minute and 60-minute marks, respectively, and calculate the amount of water evaporated. Calculate the evaporation rate using the following formula. Perform three parallel measurements and take the average value.

[0008] Evaporation rate ER = Evaporation amount / Cooking time × 100%;

[0009] (2) Determination of water absorption rate of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces:

[0010] ① Determination of water absorption rate of decoction pieces: Weigh 100g of decoction pieces and place them in a decoction vessel. Add water to cover the surface of the herbs by 5cm and soak for 30min. First, heat over high heat to a boil, then simmer over low heat for the specified time (generally 30-40min). Filter and measure the weight difference of the decoction pieces before and after decoction. Calculate the water absorption rate (WA) of the decoction pieces. Each decoction piece is measured in parallel 3 times, and the average value is taken as the water absorption rate of the decoction piece.

[0011] WA = [(Weight of the decoction pieces after decoction - Weight of the dried decoction pieces) / Weight of the dried decoction pieces] × 100%

[0012] ② Determination of water absorption rate of decoction pieces after second decoction: Take the decoction pieces from the first decoction in ① and place them in a decoction vessel. Add water to cover the surface of the herbs by 2cm and decoct for the specified time (30-40min). Filter and measure the weight difference of the decoction pieces before and after decoction. Calculate the water absorption rate (WA') of the decoction pieces after second decoction. Perform three parallel measurements and take the average value as the water absorption rate of the decoction pieces after second decoction.

[0013] WA' = [(Weight of the decoction pieces after the second decoction - Weight of the decoction pieces after the first decoction) / Weight of the dried decoction pieces] × 100%;

[0014] (3) Determination of the liquid-to-solid ratio of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces:

[0015] ① Determination of the dry-liquid-solid ratio of medicinal herbs: Take 100g of medicinal herbs and place them in a beaker of appropriate size. Weigh them, shake them to distribute them evenly and ensure the surface of the herbs is flat. Quickly add water until the liquid level is equal to the surface of the herbs, then stop adding water and record the amount of water added. The dry-liquid-solid ratio (LSR) of the medicinal herbs is then determined. 干 Calculation formula:

[0016] LSR 干 = Amount of water added when level with the surface of the dried medicinal slices (g) / Weight of dried medicinal slices (g) × 100%

[0017] The average value of three parallel determinations is the dry-liquid-solid ratio of the Chinese herbal medicine slices.

[0018] When the height of the medicinal herb exceeds 4 / 5 of the container height, a larger container should be selected for measurement; when the height of the medicinal herb is less than 1 / 5 of the container height, a smaller container should be selected for measurement; if the volume of the medicinal herb exceeds the measurement range of a 2L container, the sample size should be reduced accordingly.

[0019] When measuring lightweight Chinese medicinal herbs, the height of the herb surface should be fixed to avoid the herbs floating and causing measurement deviation.

[0020] ② Determination of the wet-to-liquid ratio of medicinal herbs: After completing the dry-to-liquid ratio determination, place the medicinal herbs and soaking liquid in a decoction container, add water and decoct. After the first decoction, filter while hot. Place the wet medicinal herbs in the corresponding beaker used to measure the dry-to-liquid ratio, weigh and record the weight. Add water until the liquid level is equal to the surface of the herbs, and record the amount of water added. The wet-to-liquid ratio (LSR) of the medicinal herbs is then determined. 湿 The calculation formula is:

[0021] LSR 湿 = Amount of water added when level with the surface of the wet medicinal slices (g) / Weight of the dry medicinal slices (g) × 100%

[0022] The average value of three parallel determinations is the wet-liquid-solid ratio of the Chinese herbal medicine slices.

[0023] When decocting, the appropriate decoction pot should be selected according to the dry-liquid-solid ratio. After adding water, the liquid level should be lower than 2 / 3 of the height of the pot.

[0024] When measuring, if the height of the medicinal slices exceeds 4 / 5 of the container height, a larger container should be selected for measurement; if the height of the medicinal slices is less than 1 / 5 of the container height, a smaller container should be selected for measurement; if the volume of the medicinal slices exceeds the measurement range of a 2L container, the sample size should be reduced accordingly.

[0025] During filtration, ensure that the medicine solution is completely filtered.

[0026] (4) Calculation of water addition:

[0027] A precise method for adding water is established based on three factors: the liquid-to-solid ratio of the medicinal slices, the water absorption of the medicinal slices, and the evaporation rate of the decoction equipment.

[0028] Amount of water added for one decoction = [(WA1×M1+WA2×M2+……+WA n ×M n )+(LSR 干1 ×M1+LSR 干2 ×M2+……+LSR 干n ×M n )]×J+ER×T1(Equation 1)

[0029] The amount of water added for the second decoction is: [(WA1'×M1+WA2'×M2+……+WA n '×M n )+(LSR 湿1 ×M1+LSR 湿2 ×M2+……+LSR 湿n ×M n Equation 2)

[0030] Among them, the water absorption rate of WA1 single-herb medicinal slice 1 after one decoction, the water absorption rate of WA2 single-herb medicinal slice 2 after one decoction, WA n Water absorption rate of single-herb medicinal slice n after one decoction; water absorption rate of single-herb medicinal slice 1 after two decoctions WA1'; water absorption rate of single-herb medicinal slice 2 after two decoctions WA2'; water absorption rate of single-herb medicinal slice 2 after two decoctions WA n 'Water absorption rate of single-herb medicinal slices after second decoction; LSR' 干1 LSR indicates the dry-liquid-solid ratio of single herb slice 1 in a traditional Chinese medicine decoction. 干2 Dry liquid-to-solid ratio (LSR) of single-herb medicinal slices 2 干n The dry-liquid-solid ratio of single-herb medicinal slices (n); LSR 湿1 The wet-liquid-solid ratio (LSR) of single-herb medicinal slice 1 湿2 The wet-liquid-solid ratio (LSR) of single-herb medicinal slices 2 湿n The wet-to-liquid ratio of single-herb medicinal slice n; the single-dose weight of single-herb medicinal slice 1 (M1), the single-dose weight of single-herb medicinal slice 2 (M2), and M... n Single dose weight of single herb slice n, number of doses J, evaporation rate of decoction equipment ER; simmering time of the first decoction T1; simmering time of the second decoction T2;

[0031] The precise amount of water to add to a traditional Chinese medicine decoction can be determined using the formula described above.

[0032] The method of this invention is scientific and reasonable, easy to operate, accurate in calculating the amount of water added, and has a wide range of applications. It can be applied to different decoction utensils and different decoction methods. It is a major innovation in the method of calculating the amount of water added for decoction of traditional Chinese medicine. It can effectively ensure the quality and efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine decoction and has significant economic and social benefits. Attached Figure Description

[0033] Figure 1 This is a process flow diagram of the present invention (in the diagram, WA1, WA2, WA...). n The water absorption rate of the decoction pieces is WA1', WA2', and WA3'. n 'Water absorption rate of the second decoction of medicinal slices; LSR' 干 LSR is the dry liquid-to-solid ratio of medicinal slices. 湿 ER is the wet-to-solid ratio of the medicinal slices; M is the evaporation rate of the decoction equipment; J is the theoretical dosage of the medicinal slices; T1 is the simmering time for the first decoction; T2 is the simmering time for the second decoction. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to specific circumstances.

[0035] Example 1: Taking Xiao Chai Hu Tang (prescription composition: 60g of Bupleurum chinense, 22.5g of Scutellaria baicalensis, 22.5g of Codonopsis pilosula, 22.5g of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, 22.5g of Pinellia ternata, 22.5g of Zingiber officinale, 30g of Ziziphus jujuba, totaling 202.5g) as an example, the method of the present invention is compared with the traditional method of adding water to decoctions and the standard method of adding water to decoctions, as follows:

[0036] (1) Traditional method of adding water to decoction:

[0037] Weigh the ingredients according to the prescription and place them in a decoction pot. Add water according to the "Standard for Decoction of Traditional Chinese Medicine" (the water level should be 2-5cm above the surface of the herbs for the first decoction and 2cm above the surface of the herbs for the second decoction). After soaking for 30 minutes, heat the pot over high heat until it boils, then reduce to low heat and decoct for 30 minutes for the first decoction and 20 minutes for the second decoction. Filter the decoction while it is still hot using an 80-mesh filter and combine the filtrates to obtain the medicinal liquid.

[0038] Following the traditional method of adding water to decoctions, the total amount of water added to the Xiao Chai Hu Tang compound decoction was 2111 mL (10.41 times the weight of the herbs), resulting in a liquid volume of 1570 mL (74.37% of the added water) and a concentration of 0.1291 g / mL. -1 The decoction was prepared according to the traditional method of adding water. The amount of liquid obtained from the Xiao Chai Hu Tang compound decoction exceeded the human drinking amount (the average daily drinking amount is 1200mL to 1500mL). The excessive amount of water added resulted in a large amount of liquid and a decrease in the concentration of the medicine.

[0039] The relative density of decoctions was determined using a liquid density meter. First, the instrument's precision, stability, and repeatability were investigated methodologically: Six medicinal slices—fried burdock seed, forsythia, dried tangerine peel, jujube, ginger-processed magnolia bark, and mulberry bark—were weighed to prepare single-herb decoctions, and the relative density was measured six times at (20±1)℃. The RSD% value was calculated based on the relative density; an RSD% value less than 5% indicates good instrument precision. The mulberry bark decoction, whose relative density had already been measured, was left at room temperature, and its relative density was measured at 0, 2, 6, 12, 24, and 48 hours. The RSD value was calculated based on the relative density; an RSD% value less than 5% indicates good instrument stability within 48 hours. Six portions of mulberry bark were weighed to prepare single-herb decoctions, and the relative density of the mulberry bark was measured at (20±1)℃. The RSD% value was less than 5%, indicating good repeatability of this method. After cooling the Xiao Chai Hu Tang compound decoction to room temperature (20±1)℃, the relative density of the decoction was measured using a liquid density meter. The measurement was performed in three parallel steps and the average value was taken. The final relative density was 1.0134.

[0040] (2) Standard decoction dilution method:

[0041] After weighing the prescription herbs, place them in a decoction pot. Add water at 6 to 7 times the weight of the herbs (7 times the weight of herbs for the first decoction, and 6 times the weight of herbs for the second decoction) and soak for 30 minutes. First, heat over high heat until boiling, then reduce to low heat and decoct for 30 minutes for the first decoction and 20 minutes for the second decoction. Filter while hot using an 80-mesh filter and combine the filtrates to obtain the decoction.

[0042] Following the standard method for adding water to decoctions, the total amount of water added to the Xiao Chai Hu Tang compound decoction was 2629 mL (12.96 times the weight of the medicine), the yield was 2022 mL (76.91% of the added water), and the concentration of the decoction was 0.1003 g / mL. -1 The decoction was prepared according to the standard method of adding water. The amount of liquid obtained from the Xiao Chai Hu Tang compound decoction exceeded the human drinking amount (the average daily drinking amount is 1200mL to 1500mL). The excessive amount of water added resulted in a large amount of liquid and a decrease in the concentration of the medicine.

[0043] The relative density was determined using the same method as in the traditional decoction with water method, and the relative density result was 1.0110.

[0044] (3) Water addition method of the present invention:

[0045] After weighing the prescription herbs, place them in a decoction pot, calculate the amount of water to add according to Formula 1 and Formula 2, soak for 30 minutes, then heat over high heat until boiling, then reduce to low heat and decoct for 30 minutes for the first decoction and 20 minutes for the second decoction. Filter the decoction through a sieve to obtain the medicinal liquid.

[0046] According to the water addition method of this invention, the relevant parameters in the water addition formula of Xiao Chai Hu Tang compound are shown in Table 1. According to Table 1, the calculation formula for the water addition of the first decoction of Xiao Chai Hu Tang compound is: 215.87%×60+185.37%×22.5+287.04%×22.5+125.33%×22.5+185.93%×22.5+41.33%×22.5+150.23%×30+2.44×60+1.41×22.5+1.27×22.5+1.24×22.5+1.55×22.5+1.20×22.5+2.03×30+12.19×30=1083.16; the calculation formula for the water addition of the second decoction is: 50.67%×60+54 The formula is: 0.17%×22.5 + 34.97%×22.5 + 21.33%×22.5 + 45.33%×22.5 + 23.33%×22.5 + 78.93%×30 + 3.15×60 + 2.31×22.5 + 2.37×22.5 + 1.52×22.5 + 2.15×22.5 + 1.16×22.5 + 1.23×30 + 12.19×20 = 778.06. Therefore, the total amount of water added is 1083.16 mL for the first decoction + 778.06 mL for the second decoction = 1861.22 mL (9.19 times the weight of the medicine). The volume of the resulting liquid is 774 mL (41.56% of the added water), and the concentration of the liquid is 0.2618 g / mL. -1 According to the water addition method of the present invention, the yield of Xiao Chai Hu compound decoction is significantly reduced and the concentration is also increased.

[0047] Table 1. Relevant parameters of each herbal ingredient in Xiao Chai Hu Tang formula.

[0048]

[0049] The relative density was determined using the same method as in the traditional decoction with water method, and the relative density result was 1.0223.

[0050] (4) Comparison of quality indicators of Xiao Chai Hu Tang under three water addition methods

[0051] Table 2 Comparison of quality indicators of Xiao Chai Hu Tang compound decoction under different water addition methods.

[0052]

[0053] (5) Summary:

[0054] ① The traditional method of adding water to decoctions and the standard method of adding water to decoctions produce large volumes of liquid, far exceeding the suitable dosage range for traditional Chinese medicine decoctions (200-600ml / dose); according to research, the suitable concentration range for traditional Chinese medicine decoctions is 0.2-0.5g / mL. -1The concentrations of the decoctions prepared by both the traditional method of adding water to the decoction and the standard method of adding water to the decoction were both below 0.2 g / mL. -1 The concentration of the decoction prepared by the water addition method of this invention is 0.2-0.5 g / mL. -1 Within the specified range, the concentration is suitable.

[0055] ② It is assumed that the components of the traditional Chinese medicine decoction are evenly dispersed. When taking 600ml of the decoction within the appropriate dosage range, the dry paste volume is calculated as follows: Dry paste volume = Extract yield (%) × Prescription weight.

[0056] The dry extract yield of traditional decoction with added water is: 26.9675% × 202.5 × 600 / 1570 = 20.8698g;

[0057] The dry extract yield of the standard decoction by adding water is: 29.1554% × 202.5 × 600 / 2022 = 17.5192g;

[0058] The dry paste yield of this invention using the water addition method is: 21.3600% × 202.5 × 600 / 625 = 41.5238g.

[0059] In summary, when taking 600ml of decoction, the dry paste volume is: the method of adding water according to this invention > the traditional method of adding water to decoctions > the standard method of adding water to decoctions. Therefore, when the patient effectively takes 600ml of Xiao Chai Hu Tang, the decoction prepared using the method of adding water according to this invention has the best quality.

[0060] Example 2: Taking Yinqiao Powder (prescription composition: Forsythia 30g, Honeysuckle 30g, Platycodon 18g, Peppermint 18g, Lophatherum gracile 12g, Licorice 15g, Schizonepeta tenuifolia 12g, Fermented soybean 15g, Fried burdock seed 18g, total 168g) as an example, the method of the present invention is compared with the traditional decoction water addition method and the standard decoction water addition method, the specific situation is as follows:

[0061] (1) Traditional method of adding water to decoction:

[0062] Weigh the ingredients according to the prescription and place them in a decoction pot. Add water according to the "Standard for Decoction of Traditional Chinese Medicine" (the water level should be 2-5cm above the surface of the herbs for the first decoction and 2cm above the surface of the herbs for the second decoction). After soaking for 30 minutes, heat the pot over high heat until it boils, then reduce to low heat and decoct for 20 minutes for the first decoction and 20 minutes for the second decoction. Filter the decoction while it is still hot using an 80-mesh filter and combine the filtrates to obtain the medicinal liquid.

[0063] Following the traditional method of adding water to decoctions, the total amount of water added to the Yinqiao Powder compound decoction was 2943 mL (17.44 times the weight of the medicine), resulting in a liquid volume of 2118 mL (71.97% of the added water), with a medicinal concentration of 0.0797 g / mL. -1The decoction was prepared according to the traditional method of adding water. The yield of Yinqiao Powder Compound Decoction exceeded the human drinking amount (the average daily drinking amount is 1200mL to 1500mL). The excessive addition of water resulted in a large yield and a lower concentration of the medicine.

[0064] (2) Standard decoction dilution method:

[0065] After weighing the prescription herbs, place them in a decoction pot. Add water at 6 to 7 times the weight of the herbs (7 times the weight of herbs for the first decoction, and 6 times the weight of herbs for the second decoction) and soak for 30 minutes. First, heat over high heat until boiling, then reduce to low heat and decoct for 20 minutes for the first decoction and 20 minutes for the second decoction. Filter while hot using an 80-mesh filter and combine the filtrates to obtain the decoction.

[0066] Following the standard method for adding water to decoctions, the total amount of water added to Yinqiao Powder compound decoction was 2830 mL (16.77 times the weight of the medicine), the yield was 2100 mL (74.20% of the added water), and the concentration of the decoction was 0.0803 g / mL. -1 The decoction was prepared according to the standard method of adding water to decoction. The yield of Yinqiao Powder Compound Decoction exceeded the human drinking amount (the average daily drinking amount is 1200mL to 1500mL). The excessive amount of water added resulted in a large yield and a decrease in the concentration of the decoction.

[0067] (3) Water addition method of the present invention:

[0068] After weighing the prescription herbs, place them in a decoction pot. Calculate the amount of water to add according to Formula 1 and Formula 2. Soak for 30 minutes, then heat over high heat until boiling. Then reduce to low heat and decoct for 20 minutes for the first decoction and 20 minutes for the second decoction. Filter the decoction through a sieve to obtain the medicinal liquid.

[0069] According to the water addition method of this invention, the relevant parameters in the water addition formula of Yinqiao Powder compound are shown in Table 3. Based on Table 3, the calculation formula for the water addition of Yinqiao Powder compound for one decoction is: 204.53%×30+544.38%×30+304.57%×18+318.50%×18+395.82%×12+184.96%×15+121.23%×12+122.0 0%×15+107.30%×18+2.65×30+7.46×30+1.38×18+6.17×18+10.94×12+1.55×15+11.25×12+0.91×15+1.11×18+12.19×20=1470.39; The formula for calculating the amount of water added for the second decoction is 112.81%×30+59. 75%×30+70.67%×18+79.97%×18+42.85%×12+49.50%×15+13.33%×12+28.67%×15+40.67%×18+2.65×30+3.27×30+2.41×18+7.47×18+10.35×12+2.13×15+9.11×1 2 + 1.11 × 15 + 1.62 × 18 + 12.19 × 20 = 1015.19. Therefore, the total amount of water added is 1470.39 mL for the first decoction + 1015.19 mL for the second decoction = 2485.58 mL (14.80 times the weight of the medicine). The volume of the resulting liquid is 1413 mL (56.85% of the added water), and the concentration of the liquid is 0.1189 g / mL. -1 According to the water addition method of the present invention, the yield of Yinqiao Powder Compound Decoction is significantly reduced and the concentration is also increased.

[0070] Table 3. Relevant parameters of each medicinal slice in the Yinqiao Powder formula.

[0071]

[0072] (4) Comparison of quality indicators of Yinqiao Powder decoction under three water addition methods

[0073] Table 4 Comparison of quality indicators of Yinqiao Powder compound decoction under different water addition methods.

[0074]

[0075] (5) Summary:

[0076] ① The volume of decoction prepared by this invention is less than that prepared by the traditional decoction-adding-water method and the standard decoction-adding-water method, and the drug concentration (each milliliter is equivalent to the amount of Chinese herbal medicine slices contained therein) is greater than that prepared by the first two methods.

[0077] ②Since traditional Chinese medicine decoctions generally do not involve a concentration process, the appropriate dosage is usually 200-600ml. When taking 600ml of the decoction within the appropriate dosage range, the dry extract volume is calculated as follows: Dry extract volume = Extract yield (%) × Prescription weight.

[0078] The dry extract yield of traditional decoction with added water is: 25.0080% × 168 × 600 / 2118 = 11.9018g;

[0079] The dry extract yield of the standard decoction by adding water is: 26.4378% × 168 × 600 / 2100 = 12.6901g;

[0080] The dry paste yield of this invention using the water addition method is: 22.7700% × 168 × 600 / 1413 = 16.2436g.

[0081] In summary, when taking 600ml of medicinal liquid, the dry paste volume is: the water addition method of this invention > the water addition method of traditional decoction > the water addition method of standard decoction.

[0082] Therefore, when the patient effectively takes 600ml of Yinqiao Powder, the traditional Chinese medicine decoction prepared using the water addition method of this invention has the best quality.

[0083] While conducting comparative experiments on Xiao Chai Hu Tang, Yin Qiao San, and the method of this invention, experiments were also conducted on other traditional Chinese medicine composition formulas, all of which achieved excellent technical results. These will not be listed here one by one. The experiments show that the method of this invention has accurate water addition, high content of effective components extracted from the product, and improves the application rate of effective components of the drug, thereby ensuring product quality and improving the efficacy of the drug.

[0084] Compared with the prior art, the present invention has the following beneficial technical effects:

[0085] Combining the requirements for medicinal liquid concentration in the "Standard for Decoction of Traditional Chinese Medicine" and the standard decoction of medicinal materials, as well as the yield and concentration range in clinical applications, this study comprehensively considers the key factors affecting the amount of water added during decoction, namely the evaporation rate related to the decoction equipment, the water absorption rate of the medicinal materials related to their physical properties, and the liquid-to-solid ratio of the medicinal materials. The traditional method of adding water to decoction ("soaking the herbs by 2-5 cm") and the standard method of adding water to decoction ("adding 7 or 8 times the amount of water") have been further refined and optimized, establishing a personalized and precise water addition method, laying the foundation for improving the quality of traditional Chinese medicine decoction.

[0086] 1. A method for determining the evaporation rate of decoction utensils, the water absorption rate of the first and second decoctions of medicinal slices, and the liquid-solid ratio of medicinal slices was established. Based on this, a formula for the amount of water added during the decoction of traditional Chinese medicine was proposed. This formula can accurately calculate the amount of water added during the decoction.

[0087] 2. The yield of the decoction can be predicted based on the liquid-to-solid ratio of the medicinal slices and the amount of water added (according to the water addition formula, the yield is theoretically equal to the sum of the dry and wet liquid-to-solid ratios of the medicinal slices and the amount of water added).

[0088] 3. Based on this invention, a database of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces can be constructed by measuring the water absorption rate and liquid-solid ratio of the decoction pieces, thereby realizing personalized preparation of traditional Chinese medicine decoctions.

[0089] Therefore, the precise water addition method proposed in this invention can standardize the decoction of traditional Chinese medicine, save Chinese medicinal resources, ensure the stability, uniformity, effectiveness and safety of the decoction quality, promote the overall development of the traditional Chinese medicine industry, and has practical promotion and application value, with significant economic and social benefits.

Claims

1. A precise water addition method for preparing traditional Chinese medicine decoctions, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: (1) Determination of the evaporation rate of the cooking vessel: Measure 1L of water and place it in a decoction vessel. First, heat it over high heat until the water boils, then reduce to low heat and simmer for 60 minutes. Weigh the total weight of the decoction vessel and water at the 10-minute and 60-minute marks, respectively, and calculate the amount of water evaporated. Calculate the evaporation rate using the following formula. Perform three parallel measurements and take the average value. Evaporation rate ER = Evaporation amount / Cooking time; (2) Determination of water absorption rate of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces: ① Determination of water absorption rate of decoction piece: Weigh 100g of decoction piece and place it in a decoction vessel. Add water to cover the surface of the decoction piece by 5cm and soak for 30min. First, heat over high heat to boil, then simmer over low heat for the specified time. Filter and measure the weight difference of the decoction piece before and after decoction. Calculate the water absorption rate WA of the decoction piece. Each decoction piece is measured in parallel 3 times, and the average value is taken as the water absorption rate of the decoction piece. WA = [(Weight of the decoction pieces after decoction - Weight of the dried decoction pieces) / Weight of the dried decoction pieces] × 100%; ② Determination of water absorption rate of decoction pieces after second decoction: Take the decoction pieces from the first decoction in ① and place them in a decoction vessel. Add water to cover the surface of the herbs by 2cm. Decoction is carried out for the specified time. Filter the decoction and measure the weight difference of the decoction pieces before and after decoction. Calculate the water absorption rate WA' of the decoction pieces after second decoction. Perform three parallel measurements and take the average value as the water absorption rate of the decoction pieces after second decoction. WA' = [(Weight of the decoction pieces after the second decoction - Weight of the decoction pieces after the first decoction) / Weight of the dried decoction pieces] × 100%; (3) Determination of the liquid-to-solid ratio of traditional Chinese medicine decoction pieces: ① Determination of the dry-liquid-solid ratio of medicinal herbs: Take 100g of medicinal herbs and place them in a beaker of appropriate size. Weigh them, gently shake them to distribute them evenly and ensure the surface of the herbs is flat. Quickly add water until the liquid level is equal to the surface of the herbs, then stop adding water and record the amount of water added. The dry-liquid-solid ratio (LSR) of the medicinal herbs is then determined. 干 Calculation formula: LSR 干 =Water added when level with the surface of the dried medicinal herbs / Weight of the dried medicinal herbs × 100% The average value of three parallel determinations is the dry-liquid-solid ratio of the Chinese herbal medicine slices. When the height of the medicinal herb slices exceeds 4 / 5 of the container height, a larger container should be selected for measurement; when the height of the medicinal herb slices is less than 1 / 5 of the container height, a smaller container should be selected for measurement; if the volume of the medicinal herb slices exceeds the measurement range of a 2L container, the sample size should be reduced accordingly. When measuring lightweight Chinese medicinal herbs, the height of the herb surface should be fixed to avoid the herbs floating and causing measurement deviation. ② Determination of the wet-to-liquid ratio of medicinal herbs: After completing the dry-to-liquid ratio determination, place the medicinal herbs and soaking liquid in a decoction container, add water and decoct; after the first decoction, filter while hot, place the wet herbs in the corresponding beaker used to measure the dry-to-liquid ratio, weigh and record the weight, add water until the liquid level is level with the herbs, and record the amount of water added. The wet-to-liquid ratio (LSR) of the medicinal herbs is then determined. 湿 Calculation formula: LSR 湿 = Amount of water added when level with the surface of the wet medicinal slices / Weight of the dry medicinal slices × 100%; The average value of three parallel determinations is the wet-liquid-solid ratio of the Chinese herbal medicine slices. When decocting, the appropriate decoction pot should be selected according to the dry liquid-solid ratio. After adding water, the liquid level should be lower than 2 / 3 of the height of the pot. When measuring, if the height of the medicinal slices exceeds 4 / 5 of the container height, a larger container should be selected for measurement; if the height of the medicinal slices is less than 1 / 5 of the container height, a smaller container should be selected for measurement; if the volume of the medicinal slices exceeds the measurement range of a 2L container, the sample size should be reduced accordingly. During filtration, ensure that the medicine solution is completely filtered out; (4) Calculation of water addition: A precise method for adding water is established based on three factors: the liquid-to-solid ratio of the medicinal slices, the water absorption of the medicinal slices, and the evaporation rate of the decoction equipment. The amount of water added for one decoction is: [(WA1×M1+WA2×M2+……+WA n ×M n )+(LSR 干1 ×M1+LSR 干2 ×M2+……+ LSR 干n ×M n )]×J+ER×T1 (Equation 1) The amount of water added for the second decoction is calculated as follows: [(WA1'×M1+WA2'×M2+……+WA n '×M n )+(LSR 湿1 ×M1+LSR 湿2 ×M2+……+LSR 湿n ×M n )]×J+ER×T2 (Equation 2) Among them, the water absorption rate of WA1 single-herb medicinal slice 1 after one decoction, the water absorption rate of WA2 single-herb medicinal slice 2 after one decoction, WA n Water absorption rate of single-herb medicinal slice n after one decoction; water absorption rate of single-herb medicinal slice 1 after two decoctions WA1'; water absorption rate of single-herb medicinal slice 2 after two decoctions WA2'; water absorption rate of single-herb medicinal slice 2 after two decoctions WA n 'Water absorption rate of single-herb medicinal slices after second decoction; LSR' 干1 LSR indicates the dry-liquid-solid ratio of single herb slice 1 in a traditional Chinese medicine decoction. 干2 Dry liquid-to-solid ratio (LSR) of single-herb medicinal slices 2 干n The dry-liquid-solid ratio of single-herb medicinal slice n; LSR 湿1 The wet-liquid-solid ratio (LSR) of single-herb medicinal slice 1 湿2 The wet-liquid-solid ratio (LSR) of single-herb medicinal slices 2 湿n The wet-to-solid ratio of single-herb medicinal slice n; The single-dose weight of M1 single-herb medicinal slice 1, the single-dose weight of M2 single-herb medicinal slice 2, M n Single dose weight of single herb slice n, number of doses J, evaporation rate of decoction equipment ER; simmering time of the first decoction T1; simmering time of the second decoction T2; The precise amount of water to add to the traditional Chinese medicine decoction is finally determined using the above formula.

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