J. Liq. Chromatogr. Relat. Technol. 35, 1676-1685 (2012). HPTLC of ranitidine hydrochloride thermal decomposition products on silica gel with dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), acetonitrile, methanol, 25 % ammonia, 2-propanol, and 2-methoxyethanol in a concentration range of 0-100 %. Detection under UV light at 254 nm. Degradation products with the binary mobile phases are arranged in three groups, depending on the retention: acetonitrile/DMSO at 373K (product 3), acetonitrile/DMSO at 353 K (product 3), and 2-methoxyethanol/DMSO at 353 K and 373 K (product of 2 and 3).

J. Liq. Chromatogr. Relat. Technol. 35, 1388-1403 (2012). HPTLC fingerprint of phenolic acids and flavonoids in 23 different sage species on silica gel with different mobile phases. When compared with spectrophotometric and HPLC/DAD methods, the HPTLC approach was a sufficient alternative by quickly providing a valuable complementary fingerprint material. HPTLC of 1) free phenolic acids and phenolic acids fractions derived from acid and basic hydrolysis, with benzene – ethyl acetate – formic acid 6:3:1; 2) Flavonoid aglycons with toluene – ethyl acetate –- formic acid 12:6:1; 3) basic flavonoid glycosides and acidic flavonoid glycosides fractions with ethyl acetate – water – formic acid – acetic acid 100:26:11:11. Detection under UV light at 366 nm.

Chinese J. of Trad. Chinese Med. for Emerg. 21 (5), 738-739 (2012). Ningxin pills are a TCM preparation with special efficiency on promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, relieving pain and are prescribed clinically to treat coronary disease and angina pectoris. For quality control, TLC of the extracts on silica gel 1) for Panax Notoginseng (Burk.) F.H.Chen, Radix Ginseng rubra, with the lower phase of chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – water 15:40:22:10, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight; 2) for Rhizoma Corydalis, with toluene – acetone 9:2, detection by exposure to iodine vapors and evaluation at UV 366 nm; 3) for borneol, with petroleum ether (30-60 ºC) – ethyl acetate – chloroform 11:1:3, detection by spraying with 1 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight.

Chinese J. of Health Industry (4), 99-101 (2012). Guangdong Achyranthes aspera, a herbal TCM drug, is the dried root of Eupatorium chinense L. which is used for the treatment of laryngeal diseases. Achyranthes aspera, another traditional Chinese herbal crude drug, is the dried root of Achyranthes aspera L. It has a similar shape and properties as Guangdong Achyranthes aspera, but contains different active constituents and is used for the treatment of colds and fever. The drugs should not be confounded. Development of a method for the differentiation of both drugs. TLC of the extracts of the crude drugs on silica gel with diethyl ether – n-hexane 2:1, detection by spraying with 5 % phosphomolybdic acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible, evaluation at UV 366 nm. In addition to TLC the drugs are differentiated by microscopy of the dried drug powders and the cross sections of the fresh samples.

CBS 109, 10-12 (2012). HPTLC of steviol glycosides (stevioside, rebaudioside, dulcoside A, steviolbioside) on silica gel (pre-washed with methanol and dried at 100 °C for 15 min) with ethyl acetate - methanol - acetic acid 3:1:1 over 60 mm. Detection under white light after immersion in ß-naphthol reagent (2 g in 180 mL ethanol with 12 mL 50 % sulfuric acid) and heating at 120 °C for 5 min. Quantitative absorption measurement at 500 nm after derivatization. LOD was 10 ng/band and LOQ 30 ng/zone. Using the calibration curve method the LOQ was reduced to 12 ng/band via peak height and 20 ng/band via peak area. The calculated expected tolerance range over the whole procedure inclusive sample preparation considered recovery rates at 3 different concentration levels (0.02, 0.13, and 0.20 %) in milk-based matrix. The accuracy (recovery tolerance limit of 92-120 %), repeatability (3.1-5.4 %) and intermediate precision (4.0-8.4 %) were highly satisfying, exemplarily shown for stevioside in milk-based matrix. ANOVA was successfully passed to prove the working range. With the newly developed and validated HPTLC method, steviol glycosides in Stevia leaves, Stevia formulations, and food products were investigated.

Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 30 (11), 1499-1501 (2012). Qinyu Shaoshang burn liquid is a herbal TCM preparation for treatment of burns. For quality control TLC on silica gel plates 1) for Borneolum Syntheticum, with chloroform – methanol – ammonia 100:20:1, detection under UV 366 nm; 2) for Amur Cork-tree Bark, with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) ethyl acetate - chloroform 3:1:1, detection by spraying with 5 % phosphomolybdic acid in ethanol and viewing in daylight. Quantification of baicalin by HPLC.

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 (350), 59-61 (2012). Fufang Sanqidan capsules are a herbal TCM preparation for treating frequent urination, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, nephropathy etc. For quality control TLC on silica gel for 1) Radix Notoginseng and Radix Astragali, with the upper phase of n-butanol – ethyl acetate – 10 % ammonia 4:1:5, 2) for Salvia miltiorrhiza, with toluene – ethyl acetate 19:1, detection by viewing in daylight; and 3) for Mulberry Fruit, with petroleum ether (30-60 °C) – chloroform – ethyl acetate 3:8:5. All were detectied by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C for 5 min, viewing under UV 366 nm. Quantification of astragaloside A by HPLC.