Chinese J. of Northern Pharmacy 10 (6), 8-10 (2013). Radix Bupleuri is the dried root of Bupleurum chinense Dc. and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. (Umbelliferae). The crude drug has antipyretic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects, and reduces blood lipid levels. The quality of the drug differs depending on its origin and harvesting time. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) with ethyl acetate – ethanol – water 8:2:1; and 2) with the lower phase of chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – water 15:40:22:10 after laying up at 10 °C. Detection by spraying with 2 % p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyhyde in 40 % sulfuric acid and heating at 60 °C until the zones are visible in daylight and under UV 366 nm. Identification by comparison with the standard Radix Stellaviae. Quantification of total Radix Stellaviae by UV spectrophotometry with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyhyde – phosphoric acid colorization method at 545 nm. Quantification of Radix Stellaviae A and D by HPLC.

J. Sep. Sci. 36, 3644-3650 (2013). TLC bioautography of superoxide scavengers in the roots of Glehnia littoralis on silica gel with petroleum ether - ethyl acetate 4:1. Detection by dipping into 300 mU/mL xanthine oxidase in 100 mM phosphate buffered saline pH 7.9, followed by incubation at 37 ºC for 20 min and dipping into a mixture of 10 mM xanthine and 20 mM nitrotetrazolium blue chloride in 100 mM phosphate buffer (pH 7.9), followed by a second incubation for 20 min at 37 ºC. The method allowed target-directed isolation of compounds.

Chinese J. of Pharm. Practice 31 (3), 228- 230 (2013). Fufang Hanfangji Keli granule is a herbal TCM preparation for treatment of acute and chronic hepatitis, fatty liver, gallbladder disease, and for reducing high total serum cholesterol and aortic atherosclerotic plaques. For quality control, the key drug of the preparation, Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge, is analysed based on its content of tanshinone IIA. TLC on silica gel with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl acetate 4:1. Quantification of tanshinone IIA by HPLC.

J. of China Pharm. 22 (Z1), 67-68 (2013). Xiaochaihutang Peifangkeli granule is a herbal TCM developed based on the classical Xiaochaihutang decoction prescription and is used for treatment of children's anorexia and vomiting, typhoid fever, malaria, jaundice, women’s hyperemesis gravidarum, and infections or inflammatory diseases. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Radix codonopsis, with toluene – ethyl acetate – formic acid – water 140:40:5:1, detection under UV 254 nm and by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight; 2) for Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., with chloroform – methanol – water 40:10:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight and under UV 366 nm. Quantification of baicalin by HPLC.

J. Chinese Modern Med. & Pharm. 20 (11), 68-69 (2013). Heidouliuyou Ruangao ointment is a herbal TCM for diminishing inflammation and promoting skin regeneration, and is prescribed clinically for the treatment of neurodermatitis, subacute and chronic dermatitis, chronic eczema, etc. For quality control, TLC of the sample extracts and the standards eucalyptol and borneol on silica gel with n-hexane – toluene – acetone 24:16:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight.

Chinese J. of Henan Univ. (Med Sci.) 32 (3), 184-186 (2013). Mingmu Keli granule is a traditional Chinese compound herbal medicine prescribed clinically to treat impaired vision, red eye and eye dryness, macular degeneration, etc. For quality control, TLC 1) for Rhizoma Atractylodis, on silica gel with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl acetate 20:1, detection by spraying with 5 % p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in sulfuric acid – water 1:10 and heating mildly until the zones are visible in daylight; 2) for Citrus maxima (Burm.) Merr. cv. Tomentosa, on silica gel first over 3 cm with ethyl acetate – methanol – water 100:17:13, then over 8 cm with toluene – ethyl acetate – glacial acetic acid – water 40:20:3:2, detection under UV 366 nm after spraying with 3 % aluminum trichloride in ethanol; 3) for Saposhnikovia divaricata (Trucz.) Schischk., on silica gel (with fluorescence indicator F254 nm) with chloroform – methanol 8:3, detection under UV 254 nm. Quantification of paeoniflorin by HPLC.

J. Jiangxi Univ. Trad. Chinese Med. 26 (2), 55-58 (2014). Xiangshao Shugan Koufuye oral liquid is a TCM preparation for the treatment of chronic gastritis, gastric ulcer, cholecystitis, etc. For quality control, TLC on silica gel (1) for Cyperus rotundus with cyclohexane – ethyl acetate – isopropanol – formic acid 70:30:1:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C for 3 min and evaluation at UV 366 nm; (2) for Paeonia lactiflora Pall. and paeoniflorin with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – formic acid 200:25:50:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid - ethanol 1:4 and heating until the zones are visible; (3) for Radix Bupleuri with butanol – ethyl acetate – 10 % ammonia 4:1:5, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible and at UV 366 nm. Quantitation of paeoniflorin by HPLC.

Strait Pharm. J. 1, 53-55 (2014). Tiaojing Huoxue Jiaonang capsule is a TCM compound used clinically for the treatment of irregular menstruation, menstrual pain and other gynecological diseases. TLC on silica gel (1) for Salvia miltiorrhiza Bunge and protocatechuic aldehyde with dichloromethane – acetone – formic acid 60:5:2, detection by spraying with 5 % ferrum trichloride in ethanol and viewing under white light; (2) for Rehmannia glutinosa (Gaert.) Libosch. ex Fisch. et Mey. with petroleum ether (60-90 ˚C) – ethyl acetate 1:1, detection under white light after spraying with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine – ethanol – hydrochloric acid 1:100:10. Quantitative determination of paeoniflorin by HPLC. Applying to real life samples indicated that the method was simple, specific, accurate, reproducible, robust and able to be the better alternative for the purpose to that specified in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia 2010.