Chinese J. of Medication & Clinics 12 (11), 1445-1446 (2012). Xiaocaihu tablet is a herbal TCM for treating chills and fever, dry throat, etc. For quality control TLC on silica gel 1) for Bupleurum chinense, with ethyl acetate – methanol – water 12:2:1, detection by spraying with 5 % p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating mildly, viewing in daylight; 2) for root of Pilose Asiabell, with n-butanol – glacial acetic acid – ethyl acetate – water 14:2:2:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 100 °C, viewing in daylight.

J. of Fujian Univ. of TCM 22 (5), 52-54 (2012). Coix seed is a TCM herb frequently prescribed to treat edema, dermatophytosis, spasm and diarrhea. For quality control of the crude drug available from different places of origin, TLC of the herb extract and standard glycerol trioleate on silica gel with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl acetate – glacial acetic acid 25:5:1, detection by spraying with 0.5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:200, heating at 105 °C for 5 min and viewing under UV 366 nm. Coix seed from different places of origin contains different amounts of glycerol trioleate (measured by HPLC).

Chinese J. of Guide for Trad. Chinese Med. & Pharm. 19 (4), 70-71 (2013). Pothos chinensis (Raf.) Merr. and three other medicinal herbs are used in traditional Yao medicine, they have anti venom, anti tumor, and antioxidant effects and reduce blood sugar. For quality control, TLC of 1) Pothos chinensis (Raf.) Merr., on polyamide phase with acetone – water 1:2, detection by spraying with 2 % aluminiumchloride in ethanol and heating at 105°C until the zones are visible in daylight, and under UV 366 nm; 2) for Mappianthus iodoides Hand.-Mazz., on silica gel with petroleum ether (60-90°C) – ethyl acetate 4:1, detection 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; 3) Zanthoxylum nitidum (Roxb.) DC., on silica gel with chloroform – methanol – ammonia 150:5:1, detection under UV 366 nm; 4) for Saussurea woodiana Hemsl., on silica gel with petroleum ether (60-90°C) – ethyl formate – formic acid 75:25:2, detection under UV 366 nm.

Chinese J. of Med. Guide 10 (17), 98-99 (2012). Banlian Chongji electuary is herbal TCM preparation for the treatment of virus flu and upper respiratory infections. For quality control the indirubin and indigo contents are determined by TLC on silica gel with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl acetate – chloroform 1:1:8. Detection in daylight, quantification by densitometry at 290 nm. The linearity was in the range of 0.1-0.5 µg/zone (n=5, r=0.9999) both for indirubin and indigo. The precision (%RSD, n=5) was 1.2 % for indirubin and 2.2 % for indigo. Recovery by standard addition was 95.5 % (%RSD=4.5 %, n=5) for indirubin, and 96.0 % (RSD%=2.9 %, n=5) for indigo.

Jiangxi J. of Trad. Chinese Med. 44 (367), 58-60 (2013). Zhongfeng Fuyuan Koufuye oral liquid is a herbal TCM preparation for the treatment of post stroke shoulder hand syndrome during stroke recovery and sequela period, and constipation after stroke. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge., with n-butanol – ethyl acetate – 10 % diluted ammonia 4:1:5, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C and viewing in daylight; 2) for Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, with toluene – ethyl acetate 3:2, detection by heating at 105 °C for 3 min and viewing under UV 366 nm; 3) for Paeonia veitchii, with toluene – ethyl acetate – isopropanol – methanol – ammonia 20:10:5:5:1, detection by exposure to ammonia vapors for 15 min and spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight. Quantification of astragaloside A by HPLC.

Chinese J. of Prac. Med. 8 (25), 1-3 (2013). Gangmei Ganmaoling keli granule is herbal TCM for the treatment of colds, upper respiratory tract infections etc. For quality control TLC on silica gel 1) for Holly roots, with toluene – ethyl acetate – glacial acetic acid 10:3:1, detection under UV 366 nm and under daylight after exposing to ammonia vapors; 2) for Dendranthema indicum and the standard buddleoside, with ethyl acetate – butanone – chloroform – formic acid – water 15:15:6:4:1, detection by spraying with 2 % aluminum trichloride in ethanol and heating until the zones are visible under UV 365 nm; 3) for Isatis tinctoria and the standard arginine, with n-butanol – glacial acetic acid – water 19:5:5, detection by spraying with 2 % ninhydrin in acetone and heating at 105 ˚C until the zones are visible in daylight.

Chinese J, Mod. Drug Appl. 7 (18), 13-14 (2013). Ganoderma lucidum is a class of medicinal fungi considered by TCM physicians as the “god medicine” effective for inhibiting tumors, reducing free radicals, slowing down aging, improving the immunity, and having anti inflammation, hypolipidemic and hypoglycemic effects. Ganoderma lucidum polysaccharide is one of the most effective compounds of Ganoderma lucidum. Compared to GC and HPLC, this TLC method has the advantage of simpler sample preparation and multiple sample analysis which makes it more feasible. TLC of the hydrolysate of the sample and of standards glucose, L-rhamnose monohydrate, galactose, mannose and glucuronic acid on microcrystalline cellulose phase, with n-butanol – ethyl acetate – pyridine – water 6:1:5:4 (optimized from 6 different mobile phase systems), first run over 2 cm and second run over 8 cm. Detection by spraying with a solution of o-phthalic acid – n-butanol saturated with water – aniline 16:1000:9 and heating at 110 °C for 5 min and viewing in daylight.

Chinese J. of Med. Guide 10 (31), 115-118 (2013). Shiyiwei Kangyi San pulvis is a herbal TCM for treating endometriosis. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Lonicera japonica Thunb. and the standard chlorogenic acid, with formic acid - ethyl acetate – water 5:14:5, detection under UV 366 nm; 2) for Paeonia suffruticosa Andr. and the standard paeonol, with cyclohexane - ethyl acetate 3:1, detection by spraying with the acidic solution of 5 % ferric chloride in ethanol and heating mildly until the zones are visible in daylight; 3) for Carthamus tinctorius L., with ethyl acetate – formic acid – water – methanol 35:10:15:2, detection in daylight. Quantification of berberine hydrochloride by HPLC.