by TLC-MS-coupling. CBS 109, 5-7 (2012). HPTLC of Rheum root extracts on silica gel (pre-washed with isopropanol, activated for 30 min at 120 °C) with toluene - ethyl acetate - formic acid 5:4:1 for fraction (1), 4:5:1 for fractions (2) to (6), 3:6:1 for fraction (7), 3:7:1 for fraction (8) and 2:7:1 for fractions (9) and (10). Detection under white light and UV 366 nm after dipping in 1 % ethanolic vanillin solution for 3 s, drying, heating at 63 °C for 5 min and exposure to 37 % HCl vapors. Elution of target zones by TLC-MS Interface, flow rate 0.1 mL/min, for ESI MS in negative mode.

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.

J. of China Pharm. 21 (14), 57-58 (2012). Weikang granule is a herbal TCM preparation for curing chronic atrophic gastritis. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Fructus Aurantii with the upper phase of ethyl acetate – methanol – water 6:3: 1, detection by spraying with 1 % aluminium chloride in ethanol and viewing under UV 366 nm; 2) for Rhizoma Corydalis with cyclohexane – acetone 7:3, detection by spraying with aqueous potassium iodobismuthate 5 % – HCl 200:1 and viewing in daylight; 3) for Coptis chinensis with n-butanol – glacial acetic acid – water 7:1:2, detection under UV 366 nm.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 25, 23-29 (2012). HPTLC of nicotine in tobacco extracts on silica gel with ethyl acetate - methanol - ammonia 28 % 10:5:2. Quantitative determination by absorbance measurement at 263 nm. The hRf of nicotine was 20. Linearity was in the range of 90-900 ng/zone. The intermediate/inter-day/intra-day precision was below 2 %.

Chinese J. of Med. Guide 9 (11), 136-137 (2012). Honeysuckle, as a traditional Chinese medicinal herbal crude drug, is the dried flower bud of Lonicera japonica Thunb. It is effective in clearing heat and removing toxicity. For quality control, a method for the identification of chlorogenic acid and luteoloside in honeysuckle has been developed and optimized. TLC of the extracts of the crude drug on silica gel with ethyl acetate – acetone – formic acid – water 35:15:5:6, detection by spraying with 5 % aluminium chloride in ethanol, followed by 1) evaluation under UV 366 nm for luteolosid; 2) by spraying again with the upper phase of 1 % ferric chloride – 1 % potassium ferricyanide 1:1 and viewing under daylight for chlorogenic acid.

J. of China Pharm. 22 (1), 20-22 (2014). Ganmaoting Peifang granule is a herbal TCM for the treatment of cold, influenza, cough, sore throat, etc. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Fructus Arctii, with chloroform – methanol – water 40:8:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating mildly, viewing in daylight; 2) for Radix Isatidis, with n-butanol – glacial acetic acid – water 19:5:5, detection by spraying with 0.1 % ninhydrin in propanone and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight. Quantification of arctiin by HPLC.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 26, 475-479 (2013). HPTLC of beta-amyrin in the aerial parts of Maytenus obscura and Maytenus parviflora on silica gel with hexane - ethyl acetate 3:1. Detection by spraying with p-anisaldehyde, followed by heating at 105 ºC for 10 min. Quantification by absorbance measurement at 550 nm. The hRf of beta-amyrin was 38. Linearity was in the range of 10-100 ng/zone. LOD and LOQ were 9 and 27 ng/zone. Recovery was in the range of 99.3-99.7 %. Intermediate/interday/intra-day precision was below 2 % (n=6).

Chinese J. of Northern Pharmacy 10 (6), 8-10 (2013). Radix Bupleuri is the dried root of Bupleurum chinense Dc. and Bupleurum scorzonerifolium Willd. (Umbelliferae). The crude drug has antipyretic, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor effects, and reduces blood lipid levels. The quality of the drug differs depending on its origin and harvesting time. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) with ethyl acetate – ethanol – water 8:2:1; and 2) with the lower phase of chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – water 15:40:22:10 after laying up at 10 °C. Detection by spraying with 2 % p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyhyde in 40 % sulfuric acid and heating at 60 °C until the zones are visible in daylight and under UV 366 nm. Identification by comparison with the standard Radix Stellaviae. Quantification of total Radix Stellaviae by UV spectrophotometry with p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyhyde – phosphoric acid colorization method at 545 nm. Quantification of Radix Stellaviae A and D by HPLC.