Investigation of Bitter Masking Mechanism of β-cyclodextrin to Several Traditional Chinese Medicines

Objective: To study the mechanism of bitter taste masking by β-cyclodextrin(β-CD) for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM).Method: With decoction of Phellodendri Chinensis Cortex,Gentianae Radix et Rhizma,Andrographis Herba,et al.and water solution of berberine as model drugs,sulfobutyl ether-βCD(SBE-β-CD) and β-CD as taste masking agent,the degree of bitter before and after masking was evaluated by mouth-tasting.Result: β-CD showed more significant effects of bitter taste masking than SBE-β-CD,except Gentianae Radix et Rhizma.Conclusion: This study proved that β-CD could used as taste-masking agent for decoction of several TCM.