J. of Chromatogr. Sci. 49, 560-567 (2011). Evaluation of the fingerprinting efficiency of a novel two-dimensional analytical system composed of RP-TLC and RP-LC-MS. The efficiency of the system was compared with that of the one-dimensional system RP-TLC with MS detection. The test samples were phenolic acid extracts from Salvia lavandulifolia. Both systems can be applied to the fingerprint analysis of herbal extracts, but the two-dimensional system based on RP-TLC and RP-LC-MS can provide more abundant information.

Asian Journal of Chemistry 23 (5), 2098-2100 (2011). HPTLC of glycyrrhizic acid in herbal formulation on silica gel with chloroform - glacial acetic acid - methanol - water 15:8:3:2. The hRf value of glycyrrhizic acid was 28. Quantitative evaluation by absorbance measurement at 254 nm. The method was found to be linear in the range of 100-500 ng/band with average recovery between 99-102 %.

Food Chemistry 132, 549-553 (2012).. New HPTLC-based method to examine quantitatively the free radical scavenging activity of plant extracts. After chromatographic separation of polar compounds, and immersion of HPTLC plates in methanolic DPPH radical reagent, bleaching was observed and recorded using a photo camera and data analysis was carried out using an image processing software. The method is simple, fast and efficient for free-radical scavenging activity analysis of phytochemicals and crude plant extracts.

Planta Med. 75, 132-136 (2009). Analytical and preparative TLC of 3’-hydroxy-4’,5,6,7-tetramethoxyflavone, 3’,5-dihydroxy-4’,6,7-trimethoxy-flavone (eupatorin), and 3’,4’,5,6,7-pentamethoxyflavonene (sinensetin) and methanolic plant extracts of Orthosiphon stamineus on silica gel with chloroform - ethyl acetate 7:3, and chloroform - ethyl acetate - acetic acid 30:70:1. Detection by spraying with anisaldehyde-sulfuric acid followed by heating.

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.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 25, 445-449 (2012). HPTLC of bergenin in the stem-bark and roots of Mallotus phillippensis on silica gel with ethyl acetate - methanol - acetic acid - formic acid 16:2:1:1. Quantitative determination by absorbance measurement at 284 nm and by TLC-MS using the TLC-MS Interface. The hRf of bergenin was 49. Linearity was in the range of 100-600 ng/zone. Limits of detection and quantification were 29, 37 and 98 ng/zone, respectively. Intermediate intra-day/inter-day precision was 1.1 % (n=6). Recovery was between 96.6 and 98.9 %.

Chinese J. Ethnomed. Ethnopharm. (2), 43-44 (2012). Cissus pteroclada Hayata is a TCM herb. Its crude drug dried rattan is effective in relieving rheumatic pains, invigorating the circulation of blood and vein relaxing, and is the main component of the compound preparations for curing rheumatism, lumbar muscle degeneration, limb paralysis, and traumatic injury. TLC of the extracts of the crude drug and its main active component bergeninum on silica gel with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol 5:4:2, detection by spraying with 2 % aqueous ferric chloride – 2 % aqueous potassium ferricyanide 1:1, followed by mild heating.

Chinese J. of Guide for Trad. Chinese Med. & Pharm. 18 (7), 78-79 (2012). Zhilou fumigating lotion is a herbal TCM preparation for treatment of external hemorrhoids and hemorrhoid postoperation hemorrhage. TLC of the extracts of the preparation 1) for Rheum officinale, on silica gel with the upper phase of petroleum ether (30-60 ºC) – ethyl formate – formic acid 15:5:1, detection at UV 366 nm; 2) for Rhizoma Polygoni Cuspidati, on silica gel with chloroform – acetone – formic acid 16:3:1, detection at UV 366 nm; 3) for Chinese gall, on silica gel with chloroform – formyl acetate – formic acid 5:5:1, detection at UV 254 nm; 4) for Herba Houttuyniae, on silica gel with toluene – ethyl acetate – formic acid – water 20:10:1:1, detection at UV 366 nm; 5) for Salvia plebeia R.Br., on polyamide phase with methanol – acetic acid – water 13:3:4, detection at UV 366 nm.