Phytochem. Anal. 24, 1-24 (2013) The application of chemometrics in combination with chromatographic fingerprining was reviewed. The authors described how this combination allowed to find correlation between different variables such as molecular profile and genetic variability and their geographical origins and growing conditions.

Chinese J. of Medication & Clinics 12 (6), 768-769 (2012). Alliin (s-allyl-L-cysteine sulfoxide) is a sulfur containing amino acid found in garlic, which has antibacterial and antioxidant activities and is widely used as a component in Chinese drug formulations. For quality control, TLC on silica gel with n-butanol – glacial acetic acid – water 4:1:1, detection by spraying with 0.2 % ninhydrin and heating at 105 ºC for 5 min and viewing in daylight.

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.

Inner Mongolian J. of Trad. Chinese Med. 10, 35-36 (2012). Jiangding Doukou Qufeng compound oral liquid is a herbal TCM preparation prescribed to effectively cure flatulence, loss of appetite, nausea, and vomiting. TLC of the extracts of the preparations on silica gel 1) for Cortex Cinnamomi and Foeniculum vulgare, with petroleum ether (60-90 ºC) – ethyl acetate 17:3, detection by spraying with 2,4-dinitrophenylhydrazine solution in 2N hydrochloric acid and viewing in daylight; 2) for Rhizoma Zingiberis, with petroleum ether (60-90 ºC) – chloroform – ethyl acetate 2:1:1, detection by spraying with 2 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:200 and heating at 105 °C until the zones were visible in daylight.

Chinese J. Ethnopharm. (12), 41-42 (2011). Tengzi tea, Ampelopsiscan oniensis (Hook. et Am.) Planch, is an age-old herbal TCM drug for invigorating the circulation of blood, diminishing inflammation, relieving pains and stoping bleeding, and is prescribed clinically to cure colds and rheumatism, and as adjunctive therapy for hypertension and coronary disease. TLC of the extracts of the crude drugs on polyamide phase with chloroform – ethyl acetate – formic acid 10:10:1, detection under UV 366 nm. In addition microscopic differentiation, and determination of the water content by oven drying. Determination of the extract content by cold-maceration and hot-maceration with water, ethanol or diluted ethanol.

J. of Inner Mongolia Univ. for Nationalities (Natural Sci. Edit.) 27 (1), 80-83 (2012). Yuzan Qingyan Shiwuwei pills are a traditional Mongolian herbal medicine for treating colds, sore throat, asthma, cough, etc. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Fructus Gardeniae and the standard gardenoside, with ethyl acetate – acetone – formic acid – water 5:5:1:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight; 2) for Radix Aucklandiae and the standards costunolide and dehydrocostus lactone, with cyclohexane – formic acetate – formic acid 15:5:1, detection by spraying with 1 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:200 and heating mildly, viewing in daylight; 3) for Radix Glycyrrhizae and the standard glycyrrhetinic acid, with benzene – petroleum ether (30-60 °C) – ethyl acetate – glacial acetic acid 50:25:20:3, detection under UV 366 nm.

Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 22 (1), 100-101 (2011). Yangning capsules are a herbal TCM for treating skin pruritus caused by various reasons. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Radix Saposhnikoviae and Radix Angelicae Sinensis, with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl acetate 4:1, detection under UV 366 nm; 2) for Radix Glycyrrhizae, with ethyl acetate – formic acid – glacial acetic acid 15:1:1:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing under UV 366 nm; 3) for Cortex Dictamni, with toluene ethyl acetate – formic acid 25:15:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight. Quantification of matrine and oxymatrine by HPLC.

Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 23 (1), 94-96 (2012). Astragalus as a widely used medicinal raw drug is the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) and Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. var. mongholicus (Bge.) Hsiao. Its pharmacological effects are nourishing the vitality, invigorating splenic yang, promoting tissue regeneration, inducing diuresis for removing edema, and invigorating the circulation of blood. The chemical constituents of the extracts of astragalus mainly are saponins, polysaccharides and flavones. TLC of the astragalus extracts on silica gel with the lower phase of methanol – chloroform – water 13:7:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible, evaluation in daylight and under UV 366 nm. By comparison with standards the markers astragaloside I-Vlll, acetylastragaloside, isoastragaloside I, II, lV, and soyasaponin I were identified.