Chinese J. of Spectroscopy & Spectral Anal. 34 (4), 990-993 (2014). In recent years, some frauds were discovered on the drug market, e.g. chemical drugs with similar effect were illegally added to herbal TCM for hypertension which may cause a variety of adverse reactions and even endanger life. To ensure the safety of patients a method is presented for rapid screening of antihypertensive drugs. TLC on silica gel with dichloromethane – methanol – water 90:10:1, detection under UV 254 nm. Identification of nicardipine hydrochloride, doxazosin mesylate, propranolol hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide by comparison of the corresponding hRf values of standards. Qualitative analysis of the sample target zones by adding a few drops of silver glue solution onto each zone and then detection by surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) using a portable Raman spectrometer at the integration time of 10 s and the laser power of 100 mW with a minimum detection amount of 5, 5, 50 and 50 ng, respectively. The TLC method was optimized regarding mobile phase, sample application volume, the concentration of silver glue solution, etc. The method was used for the analysis of 10 commercial products from the drug market. Two products contained illegally added nicardipine hydrochloride and doxazosin mesylate, and one product contained propranolol hydrochloride and hydrochlorothiazide.

J. Sep. Sci. 37, 2490-2498 (2014). HPTLC fingerprint of (1) cinnamic acid, (2) cinnamic alcohol, (3) coumarin, (4) 2-methoxy cinnamaldehyde, and (5) cinnamaldehyde in Cinnamomi Ramulus on silica gel with system 1 (cyclohexane - ethyl acetate 7:2) over a path of 8 cm, followed by air drying and second development with system 2 (cyclohexane - ethyl acetate - acetic acid 70:20:1), detection at UV 254 nm and UV 366 nm. The hRF values of (1) to (5) were 15, 28, 39, 51, and 56.

Heilongjiang Med. J. 26 (5), 746-750 (2013). Ganmaoling Jiaonang capsules are a TCM preparation composed of traditional Chinese herbal and Western drugs, with antipyretic and analgesic effects, which is used for headaches, fever, runny nose, sore throat, etc. For quality control, TLC on silica gel (1) for Evodia lepta (Spreng.) Merr with water-saturated toluene – ethyl acetate – formic acid 5:4:1, detection at UV 366 nm; (2) for Herba Bidentis bipinnate and Herba Bidentis pilosae with chloroform – methanol – formic acid 35:5:2, detection by (A) exposure to ammonia vapor and evaluation under white light and (B) spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible; (3) for Ilex asprella (Hook. et Arn.) Champ. ex Benth. with benzene – acetone 9:1, detection at UV 366 nm. Quantitation of 4-acetamidophenol, chlorpheniramine maleate and caffeine by HPLC.

Chinese J. of Pharm. Research 33 (6), 328-331 (2014). Yinyanghuo Tongluo Wan pill is a TCM preparation for special treatment of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. For quality control, TLC on silica gel (1) for processed Epimedium and the standard icariin with ethyl acetate – butanone – formic acid 10:1:1:1, detection by spraying with 3 % aluminum trichloride in ethanol and heating mildly until the zones are visible at UV 366 nm; (2) for Panax ginseng C. A. Mey., ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Re, and ginsenoside Rg1 with 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 and at UV 366 nm; (3) for Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. with cyclohexane - ethyl acetate 9:1, detection at UV 366 nm; (4) for Paeonia lactiflora Pall. and paeoniflorin with chloroform – methanol – ethyl acetate – concentrated ammonia 20:8:4:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4, followed by heating until the zones are visible; (5) for Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. with petroleum ether (60-90 °C), detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4, followed by heating until the zones are visible; (6) for Cassia twig with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl acetate 17:3, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4, followed by heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible, and at UV 366 nm.

S. Afr. J. Bot. 100, 122-131 (2015). HPTLC fingerprint of Agathosma betulina and Agathosma crenulata on silica gel with toluene - ethyl acetate - methanol - acetonitrile - formic acid 10:3:3:2:2. Qualitative identification at UV 366 nm. The hRF values of rutin, chlorogenic acid and kaempferol were 15, 25 and 65.

J. Sep. Sci. 38, 4021-4028 (2015). HPTLC of eight natural products viz. stigmasterol (1), oleanolic acid-3-acetate (2), oleanolic acid (3), biochanin A (4), genistein (5), pratensein (6), chrysoeriol (7), and luteolin (8) in Cicer microphyllum on silica gel with n-hexane - ethyl acetate - formic acid 90:65:8. Detection by dipping into a solution of cerric ammonium sulfate reagent, followed by heating at 105 °C for 5 min. Quantitative determination by absorbance measurement at 366 nm. The hRF values for compounds (1) to (8) were 98, 89, 78, 70, 63, 42, 33 and 4, respectively. Linearity was in the range of 100-800 ng/zone for (1) to (8). LOD and LOQ were 60 and 90 ng/zone for (1), (5) and (8), 50 and 90 ng/zone for (2), 90 and 110 ng/zone for (3), 70 and 100 ng/zone for (4) and (6) and 80 and 110 ng/zone for (7). The intermediate precision was below 1.5 % (n=3). Recovery was in the range of 98-100 %.

J. Chromatogr. Sci. 53 (5), 816-823 (2015). HPTLC of ursolic acid, betulinic acid, stigmasterol and lupeol in Shankhpushpi botanicals on silica gel in a twin-trough glass chamber with petroleum ether - ethyl acetate - toluene 7:2:1, detection by spraying with anisaldehyde reagent. Densitometric evaluation at 580 nm. The hRF value of ursolic acid was 21, of betulinic acid 29, of stigmasterol 33 and of lupeol 50. Linearity was between 100-600 ng/zone for all substances. Results of the analysis of real life samples: 134.2 mg/g and 146.1 mg/g ursolic acid in Clitorea ternatea (CT) and Canscora decussata (CD); 110.6 mg/g betulinic acid in Evolvulus alsinoides (EA); 92.8 mg/g, 154.9 mg/g, 31.9 mg/g and 39.2 mg/g stigmasterol in EA, Convolvulus pluricaulis, CT and CD; 30.1 mg/g lupeol in CT.

Chinese J. of Inform. on TCM 20 (7), 59-61 (2013). Shengxinfa Jiaonang capsule is a herbal TCM preparation for treatment of hair loss caused by blood deficiency and kidney essence deficiency, scalp pruritus, alopecia areata, and postpartum alopecia. For quality control, TLC on silica gel (1) for Fallopia multiflora (Thunb.) Harald, with toluene – ethyl acetate – formic acid 15:2:1, detection in daylight; (2) for Psoralea corylifolia Linn., with n-hexane – ethyl acetate 4:1, detection by spraying with 10 KOH in methanol and viewing under UV 366 nm; (3) for Gastrodia elata Bl., with chloroform – ethyl acetate 1:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible. Quantification of 2,3,5,4'-tetrahydroxy stilbene-2-Ο-β-D-glucoside by HPLC.