Bioorg. Chem. 50, 1-10 (2013). Review of the current status of research on sesame lignans, regarding analytical methods, biological activities and biosynthesis. The papers described the revolutionary change in the type of techniques used and reported some of the TLC and HPTLC methods that allowed for lignan separation and quantification.

J. of China Pharm. 22 (6), 57-58 (2013). Fuketiaojing Jiaonang capsules are a herbal TCM preparation for the treatment of irregular menstruation and menstrual pain. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Angelica sinensis and Ligusticum chuanxiong, with cyclohexane – ethyl acetate 9:1, detection under UV 366 nm; 2) for Cyperus rotundus, with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol 50:10:1, detection by spraying with 5 % p-dimethylaminobenzaldehyde in 10 % sulfuric acid and heating until the zones are visible in daylight; 3) for Corydalis yanhusuo W. T. Wang ex Z. Y. Su et C. Y. Wu, with n-butanol – glacial acetic acid – water 7:1:2, detection under UV 366 nm.

Chinese J. of Ethnomed. & Ethnopharm. 13, 31-33 (2012). Xian Rong Bushen Jiu liquor is a herbal TCM preparation containing several TCM herbs effective for improving impotence, premature ejaculation, lassitude and hypogonadism, etc. For quality control, TLC on silica gel 1) for Epimedium brevicornu Maxim. and the standard icariin, with the lower phase of chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – water 15:40:22:10, detection under UV 366 nm before and after spraying with 1 % aluminium chloride in ethanol; 2) for Panax ginseng C. A. Mey. and the standards ginsenoside Rb1, ginsenoside Re and ginsenoside Rg1, with chloroform – ethyl acetate – methanol – water 10:1:1:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight.

J. Planar Chromatogr. 27, 69-71 (2014). HPTLC of bergenin (1) and gallic acid (2) in the rhizome of three Bergenia species, B. ciliata, B. stracheyi, and B. ligulata on silica gel with toluene - ethyl acetate - formic acid 7:11:2. Quantitative determination by absorbance measurement at 314 nm. The hRF values for (1) and (2) were 25 ad 59, respectively.

Chinese J. of Inform. on TCM 20 (3), 67-69 (2013). Zishen Jiaonang capsule is a herbal TCM effective in tonifying the liver and kidney, and is prescribed for premature ovarian failure, acute and chronic hepatitis, mastitis, sterility, etc. For quality control, HPTLC of the extracts of the preparation on silica gel 1) for Paeonia lactiflora Pall. and the standard paeoniflorin, with chloroform – methanol – water 14:6:1, detection by spraying with 5 % vanillin in sulfuric acid – ethanol 1:4 and heating at 105 °C until the zones are visible in daylight; 2) for Ziziphus jujuba Mill. Var. spinosa, with water-saturated n-butanol, detection under UV 366 nm; 3) for Lilium brownii var. viridulum with petroleum ether (60-90 °C) – ethyl acetate – formic acid 15:5:1, detection by spraying with 10 % phosphomolybdic acid hydrate in ethanol and heating mildly until the zones are visible in daylight; 4) for Caulis polygoni multiflori and the standard emodin, with n-hexane – ethyl acetate – formic acid 60:20:1, detection under UV 366 nm. Quantification of paeoniflorin by HPLC.

J. Trad. Chinese Veterinary Med. 47 (9), 32-33 (2012). In veterninary TCM Cangzhu Xianglian San powder is prescribed for the treatment of dysentery and diarrhea of livestocks. For quality control TLC on silica gel 1) for Atractylodes lancea, with petroleum ether (60-90°C) – acetone 9:2, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating mildly until the zones are clearly visible in daylight; 2) for Radix Aucklandiae, with cyclohexane – ethyl acetate – formic acid 15:5:1, detection by spraying with 10 % sulfuric acid in ethanol and heating mildly until the zones are clearly visible in daylight.

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.