Chromatogr. 26 (1), 61–68 (2012) Picroside-I and picroside-II are known bioactive metabolites in Picrorhiza species. Presentation of a simple, precise method for the simultaneous determination of picrosides (picroside-I and picroside-II) in two different Picrorhiza species, P. kurroa and P. scrophulariiflora. TLC of the extracts of the medicinal herbal drugs on silica gel with chloroform – methanol 22:3. Quantification of picrosides (picroside-I and picroside-II) by absorbance measurement at UV 254 nm. Comparative study revealed that the content of picroside-I and picroside-II is higher in P. scrophulariiflora than P. kurroa the content of picroside-I was found to be 1.3 and 1.6 % inP. kurroa and P. scrophulariiflora, and of picroside-II 0.5 and 0.6 %, respectively. Study of the antioxidant potential of the two Picrorhiza species using DPPH* radical reagent. The scavenging activities of P. kurroa and P. scrophulariiflora were 37.7 % and 34.3 %, respectively, at a concentration of 0.1 mg/mL.

J. of China Pharm. 21 (10), 28-29 (2012). Dispensing granules of TCM are prepared herbal medicines in small pieces ready for decoction used for making up a clinical prescription. Ligusticum wallichii, as crude herbal drug, is the root of Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. Its effects are invigorating the circulation of blood, promoting the circulation of qi, relieving rheumatic pains, and it is used clinically to cure chest discomfort, cardialgia, irregular menses, algomenorrhea, abdominal pain and headache. For quality control, TLC on silica gel with toluene – ethyl acetate – formic acid 40:10:1, detection at UV 366 nm and under daylight after spraying with 1 % ferric chloride – 1 % potassium ferricyanide 1:1.

Anal. Methods 4, 2522-2527 (2012). HPTLC of the petroleum ether extracts of the herbal TCM root drugs of Aster tataricus, Atractylodes lancea, Gentiana rigescens, and Gentiana macrophylla on silica gel with toluene - ethyl acetate 15:1 over 70 mm. Detection under UV 366 nm and white light after immersion in 1 % vanillin solution dissolved in 10 % conc. sulfuric acid in ethanol, heating at 105 °C for 5 min. Each sample track on the UV 366 nm image was digitalized. For statistical data exploration multivariate analysis based on the models principal component analysis (PCA), partial least-square-discriminant analysis (PLS-DA) and orthogonal PLS-DA was used. The model score plots showed for all three models good spatial distributions with clear cluster for grouping each sample and high reproducibility and predictive values (> 0.5).

Phytochem. Anal. 24, 395-400 (2013). HPTLC bioautography of the oleo gum-resin galbanum from Ferula gummosa Boiss on silica gel with chloroform - ethyl acetate - methanol 50:5:1 and detection under UV 366 nm. Bioautographic assay to detect the zones inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE). The zones that showed activity in the assay on AChE inhibition were selected for HPTLC-MS. Auraptene and farnesiferol A were identified as AChE Inhibitors.

Chinese J. of Inform. on TCM 19 (9), 59-60 (2012). Some Aconitum medicinal herbs, such as Aconite root, Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii, Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata etc. are used as the component drugs in TCM anti rheumatic preparations like Hulisan capsules, Yaoxitong capsules and Panlongqi tablets. The main active component in Aconitum is aconitine which has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, but is a potent toxic ingredient as well. For quality control of the formulations and ensuring their medication safety, a method for the limit test of aconitine in Hulisan capsules, Yaoxitong capsules and Panlongqi tablets has been presented. TLC on silica gel with cyclohexane – ethyl acetate – diethylamine 10:7:1, detection first by spraying with 5 % potassium iodobismuthate in water – hydrochloric acid 200:1 and then by exposing to iodine vapors, viewing in daylight. Semiquantification of aconitine by comparison of zones with the standard applied in concentrations meeting the safety limit.

Jiangxi J. of Trad. Chinese Med. 43 (354), 62-64 (2012). Jiegu Xujin capsules are a herbal TCM for the treatment of fractures, bone dislocation and joint pain. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Rhizoma Drynariae and the standard naringin, with cyclohexane – ethyl acetate – formic acid – water 2:24:5:6, detection under UV 366 nm; 2) for Radix Angelicae Sinensis and Rhizoma Ligustici Chuanxiong, with n-hexane – ethyl acetate 9:1, detection under UV 366 nm; 3) for Eupolyphaga seu steleophaga, with toluene – dichloromethane – acetone 10:10:1, detection by spraying with 3 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:200 and heat at 105 °C, viewing in daylight; 4) for Radix Notoginseng and the standards ginsenoside Rb1, Re, Rg1, R1, with the lower phase of chloroform – methanol – water 13:7:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, 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.