Modern J. of Integrated Trad. Chinese & Western Med. 22 (6), 659-661 (2013). Niuhuang Jiedu Ruanjiaonang capsules are a herbal TCM preparation for treating sore throat, gingival swelling and pain, aphthae, swollen red eyes, etc. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Artificial Calculus Bovis and the standards cholic acid and hyodesoxycholic acid, with n-hexane – ethyl acetate – acetic acid – methanol 20:25:2:3, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing under UV 366 nm; 2) for Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, with the upper phase of petroleum ether (30-60 °C) – ethyl formate – formic acid 15:5:1, detection under UV 366 nm; 3) for Radix Scutellariae and the standard baicalin, with ethyl acetate – butanone – formic acid – water 5:3:1:1, detection by spraying with 1 % ferric chloride in ethanol and viewing in daylight; 4) for Borneol, with cyclohexane – ethyl acetate 4:1, detection by spraying with 1 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight. Quantification of borneol by GC.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 26, 109-113 (2013). Bioautographic fingerprinting of Salvia officinalis, Thymus vulgaris, and Mentha piperita on silica gel with toluene - ethyl acetate 93:7, followed by dipping into bacterial suspensions of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis for 8 s. Detection by spraying with 0.2 % MTT ((3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) aqueous solution, followed by re-incubation at 37 °C for 0.5 h. The hRf values for thymol, menthol, and alpha-thujone were 51, 33 and 29 respectively.

Chinese J. of Guiyang Med. Coll. 37 (6), 605-607 (2012). Gongyanping capsules are a herbal TCM for treating acute and chronic pelvic inflammatory disease, irregular menstruation, etc. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Melastoma dodecandrum Lour. and the standard gallic acid, with chloroform – ethyl acetate – formic acid 25:20:4, detection by spraying with 2 % ferric chloride in ethanol and heating mildly, viewing in daylight; 2) for Zanthoxylum nitidum, with n-butanol – glacial acetic acid – water 7:1:2, detection by spraying with 5 % potassium iodobismuthate in water – hydrochloric acid 200:1 and viewing in daylight; 3) for Radix Angelicae Sinensis and the standard ferulic acid, with toluene – chloroform – glacial acetic acid 6:5:1, detection under UV 366 nm; 4) for Ficus simplicissima Lour. and the standard psoralen, with cyclohexane – toluene – ethyl acetate 10:10:3, detection by spraying with 10 % KOH in ethanol and viewing under UV 366 nm.

Brazilian Journal of Pharmacognosy. 23, 207-216 (2013). HPTLC fingerprint of four similar looking Adiantum species: A. capillus-veneris L. (1), A. lunulatum Burm. f. (2), A. peruvianum Klotzsch (3), and A. venustum D. Don. (4) on silica gel with toluene - ethylacetate 4:1. (1) could be clearly differentiated from other species by the presence of characteristic blue colored bands at hRf 57 under UV 366 nm. (2) and (3) shared additional bands at hRf 22 and 27 under UV 366 nm and at hRf 74 under UV 254 nm. A characteristic band at hRf 41 was observed only in (3) under UV 366 nm.

Chinese J. of Xizang Sci. & Technol. 231, 48-49 (2012). Shanhu Qishiwan pills are a traditional Tibetan herbal medicine used for relieving uneasiness of mind and body, invigoration of blood circulation and relief of pain. For quality control, TLC on silica gel with n-hexane – ethyl acetate 4:1, detection under UV 366 nm.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 26, 480-485 (2013). HPTLC of garcinol (1) and isogarcinol (2), two polyisoprenylated benzophenones in the fruits of Garcinia indica on silica gel with n-pentane - ethyl acetate 7:3 + 1 drop formic acid. Quantification by absorbance measurement at 327 nm. The hRf values for compounds (1) and (2) were 72 and 62, respectively. Linearity was in the range of 200-1400 ng/zone for (1) and 990-6900 ng/zone for (2). LOD and LOQ were 65 and 200 ng/zone for (1) and 300 and 900 ng/zone for (2). Recovery was in the range of 98.2-101.7 % for both (1) and (2). Intermediate/interday/intra-day precision was below 2 % (n=6).

Chinese J. Mod. Drug Appl. 7 (17), 228-229 (2013). Zhuangyao Zhitong Heji compound oral liquid is a herbal TCM preparation to treat deficiency of the kidney and liver, chills and pain of the waist and knee, wind-cold-dampness arthralgia and low back injury. For quality control, TLC on silica gel with n-hexane – ethyl acetate 9:1, detection under UV 366 nm. Identification of Angelica sinensis, Ligusticum chuanxiong and Saposhnikovia divaricata roots by fingerprint comparison with reference drugs.

J. of China Pharm. 21 (15), 49-50 (2012). Tongfenglishi Koufuye oral liquid is a herbal TCM preparation for the treatment of rheumatic arthralgia, the numbness of limbs, swollen carbuncles and hyperlipidemia. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Radix et Rhizoma Rhei, with petroleum ether (30-60°C) – ethyl formate – formic acid 15:5:1, detection in daylight; 2) for Fructus Crataegi, with cyclohexane – chloroform – ethyl acetate 20:5:8, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol, heating at 110 °C and viewing in daylight; 3) for Semen Vaccariae, with chloroform – methanol – water 15:7:2, detection by spraying with 5 % potassium iodobismuthate in HCl – water 1:200 and viewing in daylight. Quantification of emodin by HPLC.