Chinese J. of Inform. on TCM 17 (12), 48-50 (2010). Fuyanshuan suppository is a herbal TCM preparation for heat clearing, detoxifying, eliminating stagnation, regulating the flow of vital energy and invigorating the circulation of blood. For quality control TLC of the extracts of the preparation 1) for Ajuga becumbens Thunb., on silica gel with cyclohexane - chloroform – ethyl acetate – glacial acetic acid 40:10:16:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 100 °C, evaluation under UV 366 nm or daylight; 2) for Lonicera japonica, on silica gel with chloroform – acetone – formic acid 3:2:1, detection by exposure to daylight for 10 min and viewing under UV 366 nm.

Chinese J. of Trad. Chinese Med. 21 (4), 585-586 (2012). Chuanxining pills are a herbal TCM preparation effective for tonifying kidney, relieving uneasiness of mind, body tranquilization, relieving a cough,and preventing asthma. They are prescribed clinically to cure bronchitis and pneumonectasis. For quality control, identification of the three main component drugs by TLC of the extracts of the preparations 1) for Epimedium davidii Franch, on silica gel with ethyl acetate – butanone – formic acid – water 10:1:1:1, detection by spraying with 2 % ferric chloride in ethanol and mild heating; 2) for Fructus Ligustri Lucidi, on silica gel with chloroform – methanol 40:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating mildly; 3) for Angelica sinensis, on silica gel with n-hexane - ethyl acetate 9:1, detection at UV 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. 26 (2), 167-171 (2012). Niuhuangjingnao tablets are a herbal TCM effective specially in clearing heat, removing toxicity, relieving uneasiness of mind and body tranquilization, and are prescribed clinically to cure dizziness, swelling and pain in the throat. In order to perfect the procedure for the quality control of the medicine a method has been presented. TLC of the extracts of the medicine 1) for borneol, on silica gel with toluene – ethyl acetate 10:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C until the zones were visualized, viewing in daylight; 2) for Rheum officinale, on silica gel with the upper phase of petroleum ether (60-90 ºC ) - ethyl acetate – formic acid 15:5:1, detection by viewing at UV 366 nm, followed by exposure to ammonia vapors and viewing at UV 366 nm; 3) for the rhizome of Chinese Goldthread, on silica gel with toluene – isopropanol - ethyl acetate – methanol – water 20:5:10:5:1, detection by exposure to ammonia vapors and viewing at UV 366 nm; 4) for Fructus Forsythiae, on silica gel with chloroform – methanol – glacial acetic acid 70:10:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones were visualized, viewing in daylight; 5) for honeysuckle, on polyamide phase with ethyl acetate – methanol – formic acid 20:2:3, detection by viewing at UV 366 nm; 6) for the root of Kudzu vine and Cape jasmine, on silica gel with chloroform – methanol – water 28:10:1, detection by viewing at UV 366 nm, followed by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C until the zones were visualized, viewing in daylight.

J. Sep. Sci. 36, 1104-1111 (2013). Micro TLC of equilin (1), estetrol (2), estriol (3), 17alpha-estradiol (4), 17beta-estradiol (5), estrone (6), 17alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (7), 20alpha-hydroxyprogesterone (8) and progesterone (9) on RP-18 with 30 to 100 % methanol. Detection by dipping into PMA reagent (10 % phosphomolybdic acid in methanol) and heating at 100 °C for 10 min. The breakthrough volume was calculated to optimize the extraction process of nine steroids using solid-phase extraction retention data.

Chinese J. of Today’s Pharm. 22 (11), 690-692 (2012). Qufengjiangu tablets are a herbal TCM for the treatment of waist and knee pain and rheumatic arthralgia. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Radix Angelicae Pubescentis, with cyclohexane – ethyl acetate – formic acid – glacial acetic acid 70:20:2:3, detection under UV 366 nm; 2) for Radix Notoginseng and Radix Dipsaci, 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, viewing in daylight; 3) Herba Taxilli, with toluene saturated with water – ethyl formate – formic acid 5:4:1, detection by spraying with 5 % aluminium chloride in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing under UV 366 nm. Quantification of osthole by HPLC.

f.) Wall. ex Nees. (Chinese). Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 22 (6), 1411-1412 (2012). The extracts of Andrographis paniculata, a traditional Chinese medicinal herb, have been widely used as the core ingredient in a variety of traditional Chinese patent medicines, such as Chuanxinlian pills, Chuanxinlian capsules, Lianzhi pills, and some cosmetics and veterinary drugs. The quality of the extracts became significant for guaranteeing the validity, security, stability and homogeneity of the medicines. TLC of the herb extracts on silica gel with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol 20:15:2. Detection under UV 254 nm and by spraying with 2 % 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid in ethanol – 2 mol/L KOH solution 1:1 followed by evaluation in daylight.

Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 22 (7), 1703-1704 (2011). Ganoderma lucidum as a traditional Chinese medicinal herbal crude drug is the dried fruiting body of Ganoderma. It is used for mind and body tranquilization and to relieve cough and asthma, and is prescribed clinically to treat palpitation, lung deficiencies, and shortness of breath. TLC of the extracts of the crude drugs on silica gel with dichloromethane – ethanol – formic acid 16:10:1, detection under UV 254 nm. Identification of Ganoderma lucidum based on the characteristic marker compound ganodermic acid A which is not found in the counterfeits. Differentiation also by identifying the shape and properties by microscopy.