J. of China Pharm. 26 (6), 620-622 (2012). Rheum palmatum L., a herbal TCM drug for clearing away body heat, eliminating toxin and nourishing skin, is commonly used as a component of herbal TCM preparations. However, a homologous herb, Rumex madaio Makino (syn. Rumex daiwoo Makino) is sometimes mistaken for Rheum palmatum in drug production. For quality control of rhaponiticin in antibacterial Kangjun Xiaoyan Jiaonang capsules, TLC of the extracts and the standard rhaponiticin on silica gel with ethyl acetate – acetone – water 10:7:1, detection under UV 366 nm. Quantification of rhaponiticin by HPLC. The method was successfully applied to nine batches of real life samples from five pharmaceutical factories.

J. Liq. Chromatogr. Relat. Technol. 37, 1644-1653 (2014). HPTLC fingerprinting of 12 commercially available fruit teas on silica gel with n-butanol - formic acid - water 12:3:4:5. Detection by heating at 100 °C for 3 min, followed by dipping into NP reagent (1 g of diphenylborinic acid aminoethylester dissolved in 200 mL of ethyl acetate) followed by dipping into PEG reagent (10 g of polyethylene glycol 400 in 200 mL of dichloromethane). Quantitative determination by absorbance measurement at 366 nm. A principal component analysis allowed to distinguish between red fruit teas based on the chromatographic profile.

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. of Henan Agr. Sci. (1), 45-47 (2014). Baogan is a herbal TCM effective in improving liver function, regulating immune function and is prescribed for the treatment of liver stasis and spleen deficiency syndrome, primary carcinoma of liver, liver cirrhosis, liver ascites etc. For quality control, TLC of the sample extract and the standard chrysophanol on silica gel 1) for Rheum palmatum L., with petroleum ether (30-60 °C) – ethyl formate – formic acid 15:5:1, detection a) under UV 366 nm, b) in daylight after exposure to ammonia vapors; 2) for Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge and the standard astragaloside IV, with chloroform – methanol – water 13:7:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight; 3) for Lignum sappan, with chloroform – acetone – formic acid 14:4:1, detection a) in daylight after letting the plates stand for 6 hours, b) under UV 366 nm; 4) for Radix bupleuri and the standard saikosaponin A, with ethyl acetate – ethanol – water 8:2:1, detection by spraying with 2 % p-diethylaminobenzaldehyde in 40 % sulfuric acid and heating at 60 °C until the zones are visible in daylight.

Chinese J, Mod. Drug Appl. 7 (14), 1-3 (2013). Tongbianning Pian tablet is a herbal TCM for the treatment of habitual constipation disease. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Folium Sennae, with chloroform – methanol – ammonia 190:8:1, detection by exposure to ammonia vapors under UV 366 nm; 2) for Pharbitis nil (Linn.) Choisy, with toluene – glacial acetic acid 100:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethyl acetate 22:1 and heating mildly until the zones are visible in daylight; 3) for Amomum microcarpum C. F. Liang et D. Fang and Amomum kravanh, with cyclohexane – glacial acetic acid 100:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating mildly until the zones are visible in daylight. Quantification of aloe emodin by HPLC.

Microbiol. Res. 169, 725-732 (2014). TLC of glucose, maltose and maltotriose as the products of EglII recombinant cellulases from the tropical marine bacterium Bacillus amyloliquefaciens on bleached and steamed sugarcane bagasse on silica gel with ethanol - butanol - water 5:5:1. Detection by spraying with 50 % sulfuric acid in methanol, followed by heating at 100 ºC for 10 min.

Chinese J. Sci. & Technol. Review 17, 220-221 (2013). Zhihe Piba Keli pill is a TCM compound for the treatment of cough. For quality control, microemulsion TLC of Stemona sessilifolia (Miq.) Miq., Morus alba L. and Cynanchum glaucescens (Decne.) Hand.-Mazz on polyamide thin-films with (SDS - n-butanol – n-heptane 2.7:6.3:1.0) – formic acid 9:1, detection at UV 366 nm. Demonstration by applying to real life samples indicated that the procedure was suited for quality control.

J. Beijing Univ. Agr. 29 (2), 33-35 (2014). Qishen Koufuye oral solution is a TCM preparation for the treatment of chronic gastritis, gastric and duodenal ulcer, etc. For quality control, TLC on silica gel (1) for Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge. and astragaloside A with ethyl acetate – butanone – formic acid – water 5:3:1:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C for 5 min, evaluation under white light and at UV 366 nm; (2) for Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. with cyclohexane - ethyl acetate 7:3, detection by spraying with 5 % p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C for 5 min, evaluation at UV 366 nm; (3) for Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. with ethyl acetate – formic acid – glacial acetic acid – water 15:1:1:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C for 5 min, evaluation under white light and at UV 366 nm. Identification of Radix Codonopsis by HPLC.