Design and evaluation of San-huang dispersible tablet--an efficient delivery system for Traditional Chinese Medicine.

ABSTRACT

San-huang dispersible tablet (SHDT) was designed with a patented technology to enrich the active ingredients in rhubarb and with a wide selection of excipients in the new manufacturing procedure. The total rhubarb anthraquinones were first enriched in the extract by our patented technology. Eudragit L100, S100 and PEG-6000 were used to release a part of the total rhubarb anthraquinones at the colon to induce the cathartic effect of the anthraquinones by another patented technology. Microcrystalline Cellulose (MCC), low-substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose (L-HPC), sodium carboxymethyl starch (CMS-Na), and hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) were used to ensure quick release of baicalin and berberine hydrochloride in the stomach. The dissolution of SHDT was evaluated by a method in 2005 Chinese Pharmacopoeia along with San-huang tablet (SHT), and the results demonstrated that the dissolution of baicalin and berberine hydrochloride more than double that of SHT and release of half of the rhubarb anthraquinones in colon.