Chinese J. Ethnomed. Ethnopharm. 23, 69-71 (2011). In recent years, some unauthorized specific medicines were available as “traditional cure”, “folk recipe”, or “ancestral folk prescription” in China, such as powders and pills for relieving cough or capsules for rheumatic arthritis. It has been found that certain kinds of steroid hormones were added. Description of a quick method for screening of prednisone acetate and dexamethasone acetate in the chloroform extracts of the popular medicines by TLC on silica gel with dichloromethane – diethyl ether – methanol – water 385:60:15:2. Detection by heating at 105 °C for 10 min followed by spraying with 2 % alkaline tetrazolium solution and viewing under daylight.

and quantitative determination of gallic acid in Zhuqi Fugan granules) (Chinese). Chinese J. of Inform. on TCM 19 (4), 47-48 (2012). Zhuqi Fugan granules, a herbal TCM preparation, are effective for clearing heat and removing toxicity, nourishing the liver, and strengthening the body resistance and are clinically prescribed to cure viral hepatitis type B. For quality control, TLC of the extracts of the preparations on silica gel with cyclohexane – chloroform – ethyl acetate 4:1:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 ° until the zones are visible.

J. of China Pharm. 21 (3), 16-18 (2012). Dingxuan granules are a herbal TCM preparation with nourishing effect on liver and kidney and curative effect on Meniere's syndrome. For quality control, TLC of the extracts of the medicine 1) for Radix Polygoni multiflori preparata, on silica gel first over 3.5 cm with chloroform – methanol 7:3, then over 7 cm with chloroform – methanol 20:1, detection at UV 366 nm; 2) for Radix Paeoniae alba, on silica gel with chloroform – methanol 4:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 4:1 and heating at 105 °C, viewing under daylight; 3) for the fruit of Chinese wolfberry, on silica gel developed with chloroform – ethyl acetate – formic acid 2:3:1, detection at UV 366 nm; 4) for Angelica sinensis, on silica gel with n-hexane – ethyl acetate 17:3, detection at UV 366 nm.

by thin-layer chromatography) (Chinese). J. of Guizhou Normal Univ. (Natural Sci.) 30 (3), 7-8 (2012). Saxifraga stolonifera (L.) Meerb is a TCM herb for heat-clearing and detoxification and is often used as the key component in the preparations for curing otitis media, traumatic bleeding and hyperplasia of the prostate. TLC of the extracts of the whole medicinal herb and gallic acid as standard on polyamide phase with chloroform – methanol – formic acid 25:5:1, detection by spraying with a solution of ferric chloride – 2N hydrochloric acid – water 2:1:100 and heating until the zones are visible, viewing in daylight.

Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 22(1), 133-134 (2011). Capparis spinosa L. is a plant with an important ecological function which is mainly growed in the sand of the Gobi desert. It has a huge root system which helps to maintain the humidity of the land. As a Uygur traditional medicinal herb, it is effective in curing diseases like rheumatism, toothache, and dysentery. However, hitherto only Capparis spinosa root has been used in the preparations. This wrecks seriously the resource of the herbal drug and its ecological function. Therefore, its fruits have recently been applied as replacement for the root in the preparations. Quality control of the fruits by TLC on silica gel with chloroform – methanol – formic acid – water 20:90:10:3. Detection by spraying with 5 % potassium iodobismuthate solution. The fingerprints were compared with the extracts from the root, taking one of the typical components, betaine, as the marker substance. In addition the fruits were identified based on their shape, size, surface colors, smell, and the sarcocarp; by microscopy and by determination of the moisture content.

Chinese J. of Inform. on TCM 19 (9), 59-60 (2012). Some Aconitum medicinal herbs, such as Aconite root, Radix Aconiti Kusnezoffii, Radix Aconiti Lateralis Preparata etc. are used as the component drugs in TCM anti rheumatic preparations like Hulisan capsules, Yaoxitong capsules and Panlongqi tablets. The main active component in Aconitum is aconitine which has significant anti-inflammatory and analgesic activity, but is a potent toxic ingredient as well. For quality control of the formulations and ensuring their medication safety, a method for the limit test of aconitine in Hulisan capsules, Yaoxitong capsules and Panlongqi tablets has been presented. TLC on silica gel with cyclohexane – ethyl acetate – diethylamine 10:7:1, detection first by spraying with 5 % potassium iodobismuthate in water – hydrochloric acid 200:1 and then by exposing to iodine vapors, viewing in daylight. Semiquantification of aconitine by comparison of zones with the standard applied in concentrations meeting the safety limit.

Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 22 (3), 620-621 (2011). Superpressure jet flow processing technology has been recently applied in puffing of some traditional Chinese medicinal herbs like Aconitum carmichaeli Debx. The effect of the technology on the traditional Chinese medicinal preparations containing Aconitum carmichaeli Debx was studied by determination of the content change of the active components. TLC of the extracts before and after superpressure jet flow processing on silica gel with chloroform – acetone – methanol 6:1:1. Detection by spraying with 5 % potassium iodobismuthate solution and evaluation under UV 366 nm. Identification of aconitine by comparison with the standards.

Chinese J. of Lishizhen Trad. Med. & Pharm. 22 (4), 829-830 (2011). Gongbaokang suppository is a traditional Chinese recipe for curing cervicitis, preventing pathological changes which may cause cervical carcinoma. Description of a method for the quality control. TLC of the extracts of the medicine 1) for Sophora flavescens, on silica gel with benzene – acetone – ethyl acetate – ammonia 10:15:20:1, detection by spraying with 5 % potassium iodobismuthate solution and viewing under daylight; 2) for Fructus Cnidii, on silica gel with toluene – ethyl acetate – n-hexane 3:3:2, detection under UV 366 nm; 3) for borneol, on silica gel with benzene – acetone 9:1, detection by spraying with 1 % vanillin in ethanol – sulfuric acid 4:1 and heating at 105 °C, viewing under UV 366 nm.