of China Pharm. 26 (1), 50-53 (2012) Astragalus, as traditional Chinese medicinal herbal crude drug, is the dried root of Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. Var. Monghoicus (Bge.) Hisao or Astragalus membranaceus (Fisch.) Bge. It is specially effective for nourishing vitality, invigorating splenic yang, inducing diuresis for removing edema and promoting tissue regeneration. TLC of the extracts of the crude drugs on silica gel 1) for amino acids (standards arginine, alanine, proline), with carbolic acid – water 5:3 (carbolic acid was double distilled just before mixing with water), detection by spraying with 0.5 % ninhydrin in ethanol and heating at 105 ºC until the zones are visible under daylight; 2) for flavonoids (standards formononetin, calycosin glucoside, calycosin), with chloroform – methanol 10:1, detection by exposure to ammonia vapors for a few minutes and viewing under UV 254 nm.

Chinese J. Mod. Drug Appl. 6 (12), 131-132 (2012). Shisiwei Dangui Huoxue mixture is a herbal TCM for promoting blood circulation and relieving pain, and is prescribed clinically to treat blood stasis, local swelling caused by lesion of main and collateral channels of the injured limb after catagma. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Angelica sinensis, with n-hexane – ethyl acetate 9:1, detection at UV 366 nm; 2) for Radix Paeoniae Alba, with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – formic acid 200:25:50:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 followed by mild heating and evaluation in daylight.

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 Qilu Med. & Pharm. 31 (6), 339-340 (2012). Yinxie Granules are a herbal TCM for treating difficult skin diseases, like psoriasis, etc. For quality control, identification of Smilax china L. by TLC on silica gel with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – water 3:8:3:2, detection under UV 366 nm. Quantification of astilbin by HPLC.

J. of Bethune Milit. Med. Coll. 10 (4), 282-283 (2012). Banlian Chongji infusion is a herbal TCM preparation for treating influenza and upper respiratory tract infections. For quality control, TLC of indirubin and indigo on silica gel with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl acetate – chloroform 1:1:8, detection in daylight. Quantification by densitometry at 505 nm for indirubin and at 608 nm for indigo. Validation by investigation of the linearity range of the calibration curves (0.1-0.5 µg/zone, n=5, r = 0.999 for both), stability (%RSD = 1.2 %, n=5 for both), and precision (%RSD = 2.2 %, n=5 for both). The recovery (by standard addition) was 95.5 % (%RSD = 4.5 %, n=5) for indirubin and 96.0 % (%RSD = 2.6 %, n=5) for indigo.

J. of Anhui Coll. of Trad. Chinese Med. 32 (6), 80-82 (2012). Shisanwei Hezhong pills are a herbal TCM formulation for regulating the spleen and stomach and for treating epigastric pain. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Rhizoma Corydalis and the standard tetrahydropalmatine, with n-hexane – chloroform – methanol 15:8:2, detection by exposing to iodine vapors and viewing in daylight and under UV 366 nm; 2) for White Paeony Root and the standard paeoniflorin, with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – formic acid 200:25:50:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:10 and heating at 105 °C, viewing in daylight; 3) for Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae and the standard hesperidin, with ethyl acetate – methanol - water 100:17:13, detection by spraying with 2 % aluminium chloride and viewing under UV 366 nm. Quantification of naringin by HPLC.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 26, 267-273 (2013). HPTLC of glabridin in a Glycyrrhiza glabra formulation on silica gel with toluene - dichloromethane - ethyl acetate 1:1:1. Quantitative determination by absorbance measurement at 287 nm. The hRf value for glabridin was 57. Linearity was in the range of 25-500 ng/zone. LOD and LOQ were 10 and 25 ng/zone. Recovery was in the range of 97.3-103.2 %. Intermediate/interday/intra-day precision was below 2 % (n=6).

J. of China Pharm. 21 (14), 41-43 (2013). Jinmaxing Zhikepian tablets are a herbal TCM preparation for the treatment of asthma, and acute and chronic bronchitis. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Peucedanum praeruptorum Dunn, Scutellaria baicalensis and Herbal Ephedrae, with chloroform – methanol – ammonia 40:8:1, detection a) under UV 366 nm and 254 nm, b) by spraying with 2 % ninhydrin in ethanol and heating at 100 °C until the zones are visible in daylight; 2) for Lonicera Japonica, with the upper phase of ethyl acetate – formic acid – water 3:1:1, detection by heating at 100 °C for 5 min and viewing under UV 254 nm; 3) Eriobotrya japonica Thunb., with cyclohexane – ethyl acetate – formic acid 150:40:3, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 100 °C until the zones are visible in daylight; 4) for Semen Armeniacae Amarum, with cyclohexane – ethyl acetate – formic acid 150:20:1, detection by spraying with 2 % phosphomolybdic acid in ethanol and heating at 100 °C until the zones are visible in daylight; 5) for Platycodon grandiflorus, with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – ammonia 4:1:4:1, detection by spraying with 5 % ninhydrin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:6 and heating until the zones are visible in daylight. Quantification of pseudoephedrine hydrochloride, ephedrine hydrochloride and vitamine B17 by HPLC.