OBJECTIVETo apply the membrane separation process in the concentration process of Chuanxiong Chatiao granules and to lay the foundation for its industrialized application.

METHODThe type of membrane, the optimal pressure, the optimal temperature and the optimal detergent were selected by the single factor method. A comparative study was conducted between qualities of extracts from Chuanxiong Chatiao granules by new and traditional processes.

RESULTThe type of membrane was determined to be SMN-130A2350054. The optimal pressure was 1.7 MPa. The optimal temperature was 36 degrees C and the optimal detergent was 1% sodium polyphosphate. The qualities of extracts from Chuanxiong Chatiao granules by new and traditional processes showed no difference.

CONCLUSIONThe selected membrane separation process can effectively achieve concentration and save energy. The extracts from Chuanxiong Chatiao granules by the new process show no difference with traditional processes. Therefore, it provides basis for the industrialized application of Chuanxiong Chatiao granules.

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

Objective:To investigate the correlations of endoscopic evaluation results with laboratory indices and clinical disease activity in Crohn disease (CD) patients with different intestinal involvement.Methods:Data of 147 patients diagnosed as having CD who visited the Department of Gastroenterology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from July 1, 2017 to June 30, 2022 were collected retrospectively. According to the involvement of intestinal segment, patients were divided into three groups: the group with isolated small intestinal involvement ( n=55), the group with both small intestinal and large intestinal involvement ( n=48), and the group with isolated large intestinal involvement ( n=44). Correlations of endoscopic evaluation (based on CDEIS) with laboratory indices and clinical disease activity (based on Harvey-Bradshaw index) were analyzed. Results:C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) could be used for the prediction of endoscopic disease activity. The areas under curve (AUC) of receiver operator characteristic (ROC) were 0.677 (0.506-0.849) and 0.744 (0.597-0.890), respectively. In terms of determing clinical disease activity, clinical Harvey-Bradshaw index was consistent with endoscopic CDEIS score in 65.3% (96/147) patients, showing a low positive correlation ( r=0.260, P<0.05). In subgroup analysis for patients with isolated small intestinal involvement, CRP showed no predictive value for clinical disease activity [AUC (95% CI): 0.617 (0.461-0.773), P=0.148], while for endoscopic activity neither CRP nor ESR showed predictive value [AUC (95% CI): 0.537 (0.146-0.929), P=0.829; AUC (95% CI): 0.571 (0.153-0.990), P=0.680]. Furthermore, for patients with isolated small intestinal involvement and both small intestinal and large intestinal involvement, no correlation was found between clinical Harvey-Bradshaw index and endoscopic CDEIS score ( r=0.222, P=0.092; r=0.142, P=0.322). Conclusion:For CD patients with small intestinal involvement, especially isolated small intestinal involvement, laboratory indices and clinical disease activity cannot accurately reflect endoscopic disease activity. Great importance should be attached to evaluation of the extent and activity of intestinal lesions by endoscopy, especially enteroscopy.