J. Planar Chromatogr. 25, 463-467 (2012). HPTLC of the enantiomers of the beta-blockers (bisoprolol, metoprolol, and propranolol) and a beta-2-agonist (salbutamol) on silica gel impregnated with Cu(II) complexes of L-threonine, L-serine, and L-tartaric acid, with different mobile phases. Limits of detection were within the range 0.19-0.26 µg for enantiomers of the selected compounds. L-Ser proved to be a very good ligand for exchange and successful enantio-resolution using common mobile phases.

J. Liq. Chromatogr. Relat. Technol. 36, 2497-2511 (2013). HPTLC evidence of rapid peptidization of L-proline and DL-proline on silica gel with 2-butanol - pyridine - ammonia (25 %) - water 39:34:10:26 and on silica gel plates impregnated with Mn(II) and Cu(II) acetate with dioxane - water 13:7+1 drop 2 % acetic acid. HPTLC enantioseparation of DL-proline was performed with 2-butanol - pyridine - glacial acetic acid - water 15:10:3:12. Detection by dipping into 0.5 % ninhydrin solution in 2-propanol, followed by heating for 2 min at 110 °C. Quantitative determination by absorbance measurement at 340 nm.

Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 23 (1), 176-178 (2012). Jiannao Bushen Pills are a traditional Chinese compound preparation effective for brain-strengthening, tonifying kidney, replenishing Qi to invigorate the spleen, relieve uneasiness of mind and body tranquilization. TLC on silica gel 1) for Angelica sinensis, with petroleum ether (60-90 ºC) – ethyl acetate 4:1, detection at UV 366 nm; 2) for Fructus Forsythiae, with petroleum ether (30-60 ºC) – methanol 20:1, detection by exposure to ammonia vapors for 15 min, then spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing under daylight; 3) for Cinnamomum cassia and cassia twig, with petroleum ether (60-90 ºC) – ethyl acetate17:3, detection by spraying with 0.4 % 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine in 12N hydrochloric acid and viewing under daylight; 4) for bighead atractylodes rhizome, with petroleum ether (60-90 ºC) – ethyl acetate 50:1, detection by spraying with 0.5 % p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in ethanol – sulfuric acid 5:1 and viewing under daylight; 5) for Radix Ginseng rubra, with chloroform – methanol – water 13:7:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing under daylight.

of Northern Pharmacy 9 (4), 4-5 (2012) Chongderi pills are a herbal traditional Mongolian medicine for treating diarrhea, invigorating the circulation of blood, stimulating the menstrual flow, and dissipating blood stasis, etc. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Radix aucklandiae, with benzene – methanol 27:1, detection by spraying with 1% vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol, detection under daylight; 2) for Rhizoma acori tatarinowii, with petroleum ether (60-90 º) – ethyl acetate 9:1, detection by exposure to iodine vapors, viewing under daylight; 3) for safflower carthamus, with ethyl acetate – formic acid – water – methanol 35:10:15:2, detection under daylight. Identification by comparison with the standards.

Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 22 (8), 2001-2002 (2011). Monkshood and Radix Aconiti agrestis, as traditional Chinese herbal drugs, are usually processed into small pieces ready for decoction and are clinically effective for relieving rheumatic pains. However, in the market some processed drugs were found to be mixed with counterfeits. Presentation of an assay method to investigate the situation of adulteration of these drugs. TLC of the extracts of the drugs 1) for alkaloids, on silica gel with n-hexane – ethyl acetate – methanol 32:18:5 with chamber saturation with ammonia vapors for 20 min, detection by spraying with 5 % potassium iodobismuthate solution. Identification a) by fingerprint comparison with the individual standard component drug; b) by microscopy distinguishing the cluster crystal of calcium oxalate consisted in the thin-wall cells of the drug; 2) for peoniflorin, on silica gel with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – formic acid 40:5:10:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C.

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).

J. Planar Chromatogr. 26, 232-236 (2013). TLC of acetylsalicylic acid and salicylic acid on silica gel with hexane - ethyl acetate 2:1. Detection by scanning at 101 wavelengths, from 200 to 300 nm. Positive matrix factorization used as a curve resolution approach allowed for the evaluation of the inhomogeneity of the application zone. The method was also applied for the system ciprofibrate/clorfibric acid on silica gel with hexane - tetrahydrofurane 8:2 + 1 drop glacial acetic acid.