J. of China Pharm. 21 (20), 34-35 (2012). Zhongtongxiao capsules are a herbal TCM preparation to treat blood stasis and sore swellings caused by fracture. TLC of the extracts of the medicine on silica gel 1) for Angelica sinensis and the rhizome of Chuanxiong, with n-hexane – ethyl acetate 9:1, detection at UV 366 nm; 2) for Radix Paeoniae, with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – formic acid 200:25:50:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in ethanol – sulfuric acid 200:1 and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible, viewing in daylight; 3) for Teasel, developed with toluene – ethanol 9:2, detection by spraying firstly with potassium iodobismuthate – hydrochloric acid – water 10:1:200 and then with 5 % nitrous acid in ethanol, followed by viewing in daylight; 4) for Licorice, 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 until the zones are visible, viewing in daylight.

and quantitative determination of gallic acid in Zhuqi Fugan granules) (Chinese). Chinese J. of Inform. on TCM 19 (4), 47-48 (2012). Zhuqi Fugan granules, a herbal TCM preparation, are effective for clearing heat and removing toxicity, nourishing the liver, and strengthening the body resistance and are clinically prescribed to cure viral hepatitis type B. For quality control, TLC of the extracts of the preparations on silica gel with cyclohexane – chloroform – ethyl acetate 4:1:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 ° until the zones are visible.

J. of China Pharm. 25 (8), 772-775 (2011). Safflower, the dried flower of Carthamus tinctorius L. is a herbal TCM drug for invigorating the circulation of blood, stimulating the menstrual flow, dissipating blood stasis, relieving pain, and is prescribed clinically to cure amenorrhea, falling injuries and skin and external diseases. Due to the lack of the source some counterfeits have been found on the market in recent years. The methods were studied for differentiating the dyes used by the market for adulteration of safflower. For dyes, TLC of the extracts of the crude drugs on silica gel firstly with chloroform – methanol – glacial acetic acid 7:1:2, detection under daylight for identification of orange, then with ethyl acetate – n-butanol – ethanol – ammonia – water 1:3:3:1:1, detection under daylight for identification of acid red 73, lemon yellow and carminum respectively. Results obtained by HPLC were compatible with those obtained by TLC.

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.