N.G. Zakharova, A.M. Savvateev, V.L. Beloborodov, V.K. Kolkhir, I.V. Voskoboynikova

Prostanorm is a multi-component Russian herbal drug containing extract of a mixture of St. John's wort (Нypericum perforatum L.), golden rod (Solidago Canadensis L.), licorice root (Glycyrrhiza glabra L.), Echinacea purpurea (L.) Moench rhizome and roots in equal quantitites. A TLC method has been developed for qualitative analysis of indicator substances of the extract. The method allows characterization of all therapeutic components of the herbal mixture. The following opimal chromatographic conditions have been determined, which allow separation of indicator substances and extract components with high repeatability: silica gel plates with UV detection at 254 nm, mobile phase: formic acid/water/96% ethanol/ethylacetate = 7:8:15:70 v/v. A 2-phase detection of spots has been proposed. First, pinky-violet spot of glycyrrhizic acid (licorice) with Rf 0.45 can be ssen upon UV illumination at 254 nm. Then the plate is developed by ammonium molybdate solution, and subsequent heating reveals dark-blue spot of kaempferol glycoside (golden rod) with Rf 0.20, yellow-orange spots of rutin (St. John's wort) with Rf 0.51, chlorogenic acid (Echinacea) with Rf 0.57 and hyperozide (St. John's wort) with Rf 0.71, and a brown spot of caffeic acid (Echinacea) with Rf 0.96. The method allows determination of identity of the drug «Prostanorm - oral liquid extract».