J. Strait Pharm. 22 (12), 59-60 (2010). TLC of the extracts of the title traditional Chinese medicine 1) for red Ginseng, on silica gel with benzene - ethyl acetate - formic acid 20:16:3, detection by spraying with 3 % FeCl3 in ethanol and viewing under daylight; 2) for Chinese Taxillus twig, on silica gel with water-saturated toluene - ethyl acetate - formic acid 5:4:1, detection by spraying with 5 % AlCl3 in ethanol; 3) for Hawthorn, on silica gel with toluene - ethyl acetate - glacial acetic acid 24:8:1, detection by spraying with 3-10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones were detected; 4) for Alisma orientale, on silica gel with toluene - ethyl acetate - formic acid 14:7:2, detection by spraying with acetic acid - concentrated sulfuric acid - ethanol 1:1:1, heating at 105 °C until the zones were detected and viewing under daylight. Identification by comparison with the standards of the individual drug.

Planta Med. 77, 742-748 (2011). Preparative TLC of two monoterpenes, two sesquiterpenes, twenty-two flavonoids, fourteen lignans, and thirty-two other compounds on silica gel with petroleum ether - ethyl acetate 5:2 and 2:1 and chloroforrm - methanol 100:1, 10:1 and 20:1.

Chinese J. of Veterinary Drugs 46 (5), 29-31 (2012). TCM is more and more important in veterinary medicine. It has been found that some medicines were illegally mixed with certain chemicals harmful to the animal body. Rapid screening of the additives illegally mixed in Astragalus polysaccharides injection by TLC on silica gel with 1) chloroform – methanol – acetone – ammonia 9:2:1:0.05 and 2) ethyl acetate – ethanol 1:1. Detection 1) under UV 254 nm; 2) by spraying with 5 % potassium iodobismuthate solution and evaluation in daylight; 3) by exposure to iodine vapor for a few minutes and evaluation under UV 254 nm. Identification of lincomycin, enrofloxacin, novalgin, 4-acetamino phenol, moroxydine hydrochloride, and ribavirin by comparison of the fingerprint with individual standards, with detection limits of 2.0, 0.5, 1.0, 0.5, 1.0, and 4.0 mg/mL, respectively. The method was applied to 25 batches of market samples and the results were compatible with those obtained by HPLC.

Modern J. of Integrated Trad. Chinese & Western Med. 21 (16), 1786-1788 (2012). Ruoshiming oral liquid is a herbal TCM preparation for the treatment of children’s optic nerve hypoplasia, myopia, hyperopia, and astigmatism. For identification, TLC of the extracts of the preparations on silica gel 1) for Radix Rehmanniae Preparata, with benzene – diethyl ether 5:2, detection by spraying with 2 % ferric chloride – 2 % potassium ferricyanide 1:1 and viewing in daylight; 2) for Pericarpium Citri Reticulatae, first with ethyl acetate – methanol – water 100:17:13 and then with the upper phase of toluene – ethyl acetate – formic acid – water 20:10:1:1, detection by spraying with 3 % aluminium chloride in ethanol and viewing at UV 366 nm; 3) for Rhizoma Acori Tatarinowii, with chloroform – diethyl ether 8:1, detection by viewing in daylight; 4) for Polygonatum sibiricum, with benzene – ethyl acetate – formic acid 50:40:1, detection by spraying with potassium iodobismuthate – HCl – water 10:1:200 and viewing in daylight; 5) for Fructus Lycii, developed with benzene – diethyl ether 2:1, detection by viewing in UV 366 nm.

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.