J. AOAC Int. 95, 67-73 (2012). HPTLC fingerprint of four cycloartanes dikamaliartane-A (1) and dikamaliartane-B (2) and gummiferartane-1 (3) and gummiferartane-2 (4) in the gum resin from the leaf buds of Gardenia lucida or G. gummifera on silica gel with toluene – acetone 11:9. Detection by dipping in anisaldehyde reagent (anisaldehyde 0.5 % in methanol – acetic acid – sulfuric acid 17:2:1), followed by heating at 100 °C for 5 min. The hRf of compounds (1) to (4) were 60, 80, 90 and 70, respectively.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 25, 439-444 (2012). Bivariant multiple development (BMD)-TLC of chelidonine (1), chelerithrine (2) and berberine (3) in the herb and roots of Chelidonium majus on silica gel with toluene - ethyl acetate - methanol 1:1:1 for step I, ethyl acetate - formic acid - water 7:1:1 for step II and n-propanol - formic acid - water 21:2:2 for step III. Quantitative determination by absorbance measurement at 290 nm. Linearity was in the range of 200-1500 ng/zone for (1), 200-1000 ng/zone for (2) and 250-1500 ng/zone for (3). Limits of detection and quantification were 100 and 200 ng/zone for (1), 50 and 200 ng/zone for (2) and 50 and 250 ng/zone for (3), respectively. The intermediate/inter-day/intra-day precision was below 1.6 % (n=7). Recovery for (1) to (3) was in the range of 96-105 %.

J. Liq. Chromatogr. Relat. Technol. 35, 1388-1403 (2012). HPTLC fingerprint of phenolic acids and flavonoids in 23 different sage species on silica gel with different mobile phases. When compared with spectrophotometric and HPLC/DAD methods, the HPTLC approach was a sufficient alternative by quickly providing a valuable complementary fingerprint material. HPTLC of 1) free phenolic acids and phenolic acids fractions derived from acid and basic hydrolysis, with benzene – ethyl acetate – formic acid 6:3:1; 2) Flavonoid aglycons with toluene – ethyl acetate –- formic acid 12:6:1; 3) basic flavonoid glycosides and acidic flavonoid glycosides fractions with ethyl acetate – water – formic acid – acetic acid 100:26:11:11. Detection under UV light at 366 nm.

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.