J. of Global Trad. Chinese Med. 5 (5), 362-363 (2012). Yimucao ointment is a TCM preparation for curing irregular menstruation and postpartum blood stasis. It was found recently that degradation of stachydrine, the active component in the medicine appeared during its storage. In order to improve the quality control of the medicine the stability and influencing factors during its storage have been investigated. TLC on silica gel with n-butanol – ethyl acetate – hydrochloric acid 8:1:3, detection by heating at 105 °C for 15 min firstly and then spraying with 1 % ferric chloride in ethanol – 5 % potassium iodobismuthate solution 1:10 until the zones were visible in daylight. Quantitative determination of stachydrine by densitometry at 510 nm. Investigation of the influence of temperature and light on the content of stachydrine in Yimucao ointment showed that light is the primary reason causing degradation during its storage.

J. of China Pharm. 21 (4), 30-31 (2012). Shenqixinjikang compound oral liquid, as a TCM preparation is specially effective for invigorating the circulation of blood, inducing resuscitation, relieving pain, and is prescribed clinically to cure cardiopalmus and angina pectoris. For quality control, TLC of the extracts of the medicine 1) for Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati, on silica gel with petroleum ether ( 60-90 ºC) – formyl acetate – formic acid 15:5:1, detection at UV 366 nm; 2) for Leguminosae, on silica gel with n-butanol – acetic acid – water 5:1:4, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C for 5 min followed by evaluation under daylight or UV 366 nm; 3) for Rehmannia, on silica gel with chloroform – methanol – water 14:6:1, detection by spraying with 3 % vanillin in ethanol – sulfuric acid 100:1 and heating at 105 °C followed by evaluation under daylight.

Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 23 (1), 176-178 (2012). Jiannao Bushen Pills are a traditional Chinese compound preparation effective for brain-strengthening, tonifying kidney, replenishing Qi to invigorate the spleen, relieve uneasiness of mind and body tranquilization. TLC on silica gel 1) for Angelica sinensis, with petroleum ether (60-90 ºC) – ethyl acetate 4:1, detection at UV 366 nm; 2) for Fructus Forsythiae, with petroleum ether (30-60 ºC) – methanol 20:1, detection by exposure to ammonia vapors for 15 min, then spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing under daylight; 3) for Cinnamomum cassia and cassia twig, with petroleum ether (60-90 ºC) – ethyl acetate17:3, detection by spraying with 0.4 % 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine in 12N hydrochloric acid and viewing under daylight; 4) for bighead atractylodes rhizome, with petroleum ether (60-90 ºC) – ethyl acetate 50:1, detection by spraying with 0.5 % p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in ethanol – sulfuric acid 5:1 and viewing under daylight; 5) for Radix Ginseng rubra, with chloroform – methanol – water 13:7:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing under daylight.

J. of China Pharm. 21 (14), 57-58 (2012). Weikang granule is a herbal TCM preparation for curing chronic atrophic gastritis. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Fructus Aurantii with the upper phase of ethyl acetate – methanol – water 6:3: 1, detection by spraying with 1 % aluminium chloride in ethanol and viewing under UV 366 nm; 2) for Rhizoma Corydalis with cyclohexane – acetone 7:3, detection by spraying with aqueous potassium iodobismuthate 5 % – HCl 200:1 and viewing in daylight; 3) for Coptis chinensis with n-butanol – glacial acetic acid – water 7:1:2, detection under UV 366 nm.

Modern J. of Integrated Trad. Chinese & Western Med. 21 (36), 4087-4088 (2012). Bushen Huayu granules are a herbal TCM for treating osteoporosis. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for E. brevicornum Maxim and the standard icraiin, with ethyl acetate – acetone – methanol – water 20:2:3:2, detection by spraying with 1 % aluminium chloride in ethanol and viewing under UV 366 nm; 2) for Radix Rehmanniae and the standard 5-hydroxymethylfurfural, with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl acetate 1:1, detection under UV 254 nm.

Chinese J. of Food & Drug 14 (7), 284-286 (2012). Kexian capsules are a herbal TCM preparation for treating epilepsy and phlegm blockage syndrome. For quality control TLC, on silica gel 1) for Gambir plant, with toluene – chloroform – acetone – concentrated ammonia – methanol 20:25:15:4, detection under UV 366 nm; 2) for Borneol, with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl acetate – chloroform 11:1:3, detection by spraying with 1 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:200 and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight. Quantification of cholic acid by UV spectrophotometry.

J. of Inform. on Trad. Chinese Med. 29 (6), 96-98 (2012). Fangji Fuling Tang decocted extract is a herbal TCM preparation for the treatment of chronic nephritis edema, cardiac edema, etc. For quality control the method of the Chinese Pharmacopeia is improved. TLC on silica gel 1) for Radix Stephaniae Tetrandrae and the standards (+)-tetrandrine, hanfangichin B, and fangchinoline, with chloroform – methanol – acetone 6:1:1, detection by spraying with 5 % potassium iodobismuthate in hydrochloric acid – water 1:200 and viewing in daylight; 2) for Radix Astragali seu Hedysari and the standard astragaloside A, with the lower phase of chloroform – methanol – water 13:7:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating mildly, viewing in daylight; 3) for Radix Glycyrrhizae, with the lower phase of ethyl acetate – formic acid – glacial acetic acid - water 15:1:1:1, detection under UV 366 nm. Quantification of (+)-tetrandrine, hanfangichin B, and fangchinoline by HPLC.

Chinese J. of Northern Pharmacy 10 (10), 9-10 (2013). Keke Diwan drop pills are a herbal TCM preparation for the treatment of cough, dyspnea and shortness of breath. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Ephedra sinica Stapf and the standard ephedrine hydrochloride, with chloroform – methanol – ammonia 100:20:1, detection by spraying with 0.3 % ninhydrin in n-butanol – glacial acetic acid 19:1 and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight; 2) for Pericarpium papaveris, with toluene – acetone – ethanol – concentrated ammonia 20:20:3:1, detection under UV 366 nm; 3) for Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., with benzene – chloroform – methanol – glacial acetic acid 40:90:15:1 with preconditioning for 10 min, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight.