J. Strait Pharm. 24 (9), 53-55 (2012). Huoxiang Qushu Soft capsules are an approved herbal TCM preparation used for promoting perspiration, reducing internal heat, regulating spleen and stomach. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Herba Pogostemonis, with petroleum ether (30-60 ºC) – ethyl acetate – glacial acetic acid 85:15:1, detection by spraying with 5 % ferric chloride in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight; 2) for Radix Angelicae Dahuricae, with petroleum ether (30-60 ºC) – diethyl ether 3:2, detection under UV 366 nm; 3) for Folium Perillae, with ethyl acetate – methanol – formic acid – water 18:1:2:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing under UV 366 nm; 4) for Rhizoma Atractylodis, with petroleum ether (30-60 ºC) – acetone 9:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight; 5) for Rhizoma Pinelliae Preparatum, with petroleum ether (30-60 ºC) – ethyl acetate – acetone – formic acid 60:12:10:1, detection under UV 254 nm; 6) for Poria, with toluene – ethyl acetate – formic acid 40:10:1, detection by spraying with 2 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:200 and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight; 7) for Radix Glycyrrhizae, with ethyl acetate – formic acid – glacial acetic acid – water 15:1:1:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C, viewing under UV 366 nm.

Chinese J. Mod. Drug Appl. 6 (11), 124-125 (2012). Shaoshang Heji mixture is a herbal TCM preparation for treating burns with significant curative effects. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Flos Lonicerae and the standard chlorogenic acid, with ethyl acetate – formic acid – water 16:3:6, detection under UV 366 nm; 2) for Astragalus mongholicus and the standard astragaloside A, with the lower phase of chloroform – methanol - water 13:7:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 ° for 5 min, evaluation in daylight and under UV 366 nm.

Chinese J. of Herald of Med. 32 (2), 242-244 (2013). TLC is widely used for the analysis of active components in TCM preparations. The degree of accuracy of the detection results can be confirmed by uncertainty evaluation, by which the critical value of measurement results are judged. The uncertainty assessment for the measurement process and experimental data is part of the information which has to be submitted with drug inspection reports. In this paper the TLC determination of the oleanolic acid content of Kangbingdu Jiaonang capsules is used as an example to study the uncertainty in order to improve the accuracy and reliability of data analysis and the measuring results. TLC of the extracts and the standard oleanolic acid, on silica gel with chloroform – methanol 20:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 100 °C until the zones are visible in daylight. Quantification by densitometry at 520 nm. In summary the main factors affecting the uncertainty of the results are 1) the data calculated from the calculation curve, the uncertainty due to the least squares fitting curve, the purity of the standard sample used, weighing operation and the glassware taken; 2) the uncertainty of the sample application volume due to the application tools employed; 3) the uncertainty of the sample dilution factor due to the operation proficiency. A method for the calculation of the uncertainty corresponding to above factors in TLC determination of oleanolic acid in Kangbingdu Jiaonang capsules is presented, so that the accuracy and reliability of the results can be evaluated scientifically and an objective basis is provided to improve the executive procedure employed.

root by thin-layer chromatography) (Chinese). J. of Trad. Chinese Med. & Pharm. Consult. 4 (5), 16-17 (2012). The root of Chinese Eupatorium L. is a herbal TCM drug used in various preparations for the treatment of diphtheria, sore throat, fever, cough, traumatic swelling pain and snake bites. For quality control and to prevent counterfeiting TLC of herbal extracts and the standard euparin on silica gel with n-hexane – chloroform – methanol 20:10:1, detection by spraying with 1 % aluminium chloride in ethanol and heating until the zones are visible in daylight, and under UV 366 nm.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 27, 291-296 (2014). HPTLC of phyllanthin (1), hypophyllanthin (2), and niranthin (3) from Phyllanthus amarus on silica gel with n-hexane - ethyl acetate - glacial acetic acid 30:10:1. Quantitative determination by absorbance measurement at 230 nm. The hRF values for (1) to (3) were 33, 41 and 46, respectively. Linearity was in the range of 200-1200 ng/zone for (1), 200-1000 ng/zone for (2) and 200-1000 ng/zone for (3). The intermediate/interday/intra-day precisions were below 2 % (n=6). The LOD and LOQ were 50 and 200 ng/zone for (1), 100 and 200 ng/zone for (2) and 100 and 200 ng/zone for (3), respectively. Average recoveries for (1) to (3) were 100.1 %, 98.8 % and 100.3 %, respectively.

J. of China Pharm. 22 (Z1), 67-68 (2013). Xiaochaihutang Peifangkeli granule is a herbal TCM developed based on the classical Xiaochaihutang decoction prescription and is used for treatment of children's anorexia and vomiting, typhoid fever, malaria, jaundice, women’s hyperemesis gravidarum, and infections or inflammatory diseases. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Radix codonopsis, with toluene – ethyl acetate – formic acid – water 140:40:5:1, detection under UV 254 nm and by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight; 2) for Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch., with chloroform – methanol – water 40:10:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight and under UV 366 nm. Quantification of baicalin by HPLC.

Chinese J. of Hunan Agr. Sci. & Technol. 14 (12), 1834-1838 (2013). Qishen oral solution is a herbal veterinary TCM which in pharmacological studies increased the thymus index and spleen index and improved the formation of serum hemolysin and phagosytosis of reticuloendothelia cells in immunocompromised mice and rats. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Astragalus membranaceus and the standard astragaloside A with ethyl acetate – butanone – formic acid – water 5:3:1:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight and UV 366 nm; 2) for Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz. with cyclohexane - ethyl acetate 7:3, detection by spraying with 5 % p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:10 and heating at 105 °C for 5 min, evaluation under UV 366 nm; 3) for Glycyrrhiza uralensis with ethyl acetate – formic acid – acetic acid – water 15:1:1:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight and under UV 366 nm. HPLC of Codonopsis pilosula and the standard lobetyolin using a reversed phase column with acetonitrile – water 1:3, detection with an fluorescence detector.

Chinese J. of Ethnomed. & Ethnopharm. (16), 20-22 (2013). Lujiao zhuanggu Jiaonang capsule is a herbal TCM for treating fracture, avascular necrosis of the femoral head, osteoporosis etc. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Ligusticum chuanxiong and the standard ferulic acid, with toluene – ethyl acetate – formic acid 40:10:1, detection under UV 366 nm; 2) for Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bunge and the standard astragaloside A, with the lower phase of chloroform – methanol – water 13:7:2, detection under UV 366 nm and in daylight after spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible. Quantification of naringin by HPLC.