J. Planar Chromatogr. 26, 125-131 (2013). HPTLC of positional isomers ursolic (1) and oleanolic (2) acids and their structural isomer betulinic acid (3) in the leaves or whole fruits of fresh vegetables on RP-18 phase with n-hexane - ethyl acetate 5:1. Qualitative identification by absorbance measurement at 366 nm. The hRf of compounds (1) to (3) were 42, 48 and 62, respectively.

Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 23 (1), 94-96 (2012). Astragalus as a widely used medicinal raw drug is the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) and Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao. Its pharmacological effects are nourishing the vitality, invigorating splenic yang, promoting tissue regeneration, inducing diuresis for removing edema, and invigorating the circulation of blood. The chemical constituents of the extracts of astragalus mainly are saponins, polysaccharides and flavones. TLC of the astragalus extracts on silica gel with the lower phase of methanol – chloroform – water 13:7:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible, evaluation in daylight and under UV 366 nm. By comparison with standards the markers astragaloside I-Vlll, acetylastragaloside, isoastragaloside I, II, lV, and soyasaponin I were identified.

J. Anhui Med. & Pharm. 17 (2), 202-203 (2013). Banlangen granule, processed of Radix Isatidis, is a traditional Chinese herbal medicine prescribed clinically to treat sore throat, cheek swelling, acute and chronic tonsillitis and mumps. For quality control a method for the determination of leucine, a main antiviral effective component, is presented. TLC on silica gel with n-butanol – glacial acetic acid – water 19:5:5, detection by spraying with 0.1 % ninhydrin in acetone, heating at 105 °C and viewing in daylight. Quantification by densitometry at 509 nm. Validation of the method by investigation of the linearity range (0.10-0.90 µg/zone, r = 0.998, n=5), precision (%RSD = 2.8 %, n=6), stability (%RSD = 0.8 %, n=6, towards single lane within one hour), and reproducibility (%RSD = 2.0 %, n=6, within plate). The recovery (by standard addition) was 98.8 % (%RSD = 1.1 %, n=6).

J. of Guangzhou Chem. Engin. 41 (9), 146-147 (2013). Shuangxiang Hewei capsules are a herbal TCM preparation and contain Pogostemon cablin (Blanco) Benth. as the key drug, which is used for treatment of anorexia, vomiting, gastric distention, and limb weakness. For quality control through identification of the key drug Pogostemon cablin, TLC of the drug extracts and the standard patchouli alcohol on silica gel with cyclohexane – acetone 10:3, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 26, 254-259 (2013). HPTLC of ursolic acid (1), betulinic acid (2), beta-sitosterol (3), and lupeol (4) in the stem bark, root bark and leaves of Alstonia scholaris on silica gel with chloroform - methanol 99:1. Detection by dipping into vanillin-sulfuric acid reagent for 2 s, followed by heating at 96 ºC for 8 min. Quantitative determination by absorbance measurement at 680 nm. The hRf values for (1) to (4) were 18, 27, 57 and 77, respectively. Linearity was in the range of 2-10 µg/zone for (1) and 84) and 4-20 µg/zone for (2) and (3). LOD and LOQ were 330 and 1100 ng/zone for (1), 530 and 1310 ng/zone (2), 290 and 970 ng/zone for (3) and 340 and 1140 ng/zone for (4), respectively. Average recoveries (by standard addition) for (1) to (4) were between 98.9 and 100.5 %. Intermediate/interday/intra-day precision was below 2 % (n=9).

Chinese J. of Guide for Trad. Chinese Med. & Pharm. 2 (2), 97-99 (2013). Sanhuang zhiyang chaji liniment is a herbal TCM preparation prescribed for treating skin itching, carbuncle furuncle, acute eczema, impetigo and skin infection. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Cortex Phellodendri Chinensis and the standard berberine hydrochloride, with toluene – ethyl acetate – isopropanol – methanol – ammonia 12:6:3:1:1, detection by exposure to ammonia vapors and viewing under UV 366 nm; 2) for Radix Scutellariae and the standard baicalin, with ethyl acetate – butanone – methanol – water 5:3:1:1, detection by spaying with 1 % ferric chloride in ethanol and viewing in daylight; 3) for Radix et Rhizoma Rhei and the standard emodin, with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl formate – formic acid 15:5:1, detection under UV 366 nm; 4) for Radix Sophorae Flavescentis and the standard matrine, with benzene – propanol – ethyl acetate – ammonia 10:15:20:1, detection by spaying with 5 % potassium iodobismuthate in hydrochloric acid – water 1:200 and viewing in daylight.

J. Strait Pharm. 26 (3), 86-87 (2014). Zhibai Dihuang Wan pill is a herbal TCM for treatment of insomnia, dizziness, irritability, spermatorrhea, constipation, dry mouth and sore throat, tinnitus, hectic fever and night sweat, etc. For quality control, HPTLC for simultaneous identification of Alisma plantago-aquatica Linn., Poria cocos (Schw.) Wolf and the standard ursolic acid on silica gel with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl formate – formic acid 15:5:1, detection 1) under UV 366 nm, 2) by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight and under UV 366 nm. The method was used for the analysis of 18 products manufactured by 17 pharmaceutical companies factories and was found simple, specific, reproducible, robust and well suitable for the purpose.

f. J. Planar Chromatogr. 27, 251-254 (2014). HPTLC of arnebin-1 in the roots of Arnebia nobilis on silica gel with toluene - ethyl acetate - formic acid 80:19:1. Quantitative determination by absorbance measurement at 284 nm. The hRF value for arnebin-1 was 65. Linearity was in the range of 2.5-20 μg/zone. The intermediate/interday/intra-day precisions were below 5 % (n=3). The LOD and LOQ were 14 and 48 ng/zone, respectively. Average recovery was 92.0 %.