A:Thin-Layer Chromatographic Identification Test á201ñ(presence of hypericin,pseudohypericin,hyperoside,and rutin)
Test solution
Transfer about 1g of Powdered Extract,accurately weighed,to a 50-mLflask,add 20.0mLof methanol,shake well,and use the clear supernatant.
Standard solution
Transfer about 0.25g of USP Powdered St.John's Wort Extract RS,accurately weighed,to a 25-mLflask,add 5.0mLof methanol,shake well,and use the clear supernatant.
Developing solvent system
Prepare a mixture of ethyl acetate,water,glacial acetic acid,and formic acid (10:2.6:1.1:1.1),and use the upper phase of the mixture.[NOTESaturate the chromatographic chamber with the Developing solvent systemvapors prior to the development of the chromatogram.]
Spray reagent A
Prepare a solution of diphenylborinic acid,ethanolamine ester in methanol containing 10mg per mL.
Spray reagent B
Prepare a solution of polyethylene glycol 400in alcohol containing 50mg per mL.
Procedure
Develop the chromatogram until the solvent front has moved not less than 18cm,and dry the plate with the aid of a current of air.Spray the plate withSpray reagent A,then withSpray reagent B,and examine the plate under UVlight at 365nm:the two red zones due to hypericin and pseudohypericin atRFvalues of about 0.85and 0.80,respectively,in the chromatogram of theTest solution,correspond in color andRFvalue to those in the chromatogram of theStandard solution;the two yellow zones due to hyperoside and rutin atRFvalues of about 0.50and 0.35,respectively,in the chromatogram of theTest solution,correspond in color andRFvalue to those in the chromatogram of theStandard solution.Other colored zones of varying intensities may be observed in the chromatogram of theTest solution.
B:Thin-Layer Chromatographic Identification Test á201ñ(presence of hyperforin)
Test solution and Standard solution
Proceed as directed forIdentificationtestA.
Developing solvent system
Prepare a mixture of solvent hexane and ethyl acetate (8:2).[NOTESaturate the chromatographic chamber with theDeveloping solvent systemvapors prior to the development of the chromatogram.]
Spray reagent
Prepare a solution containing 0.38g of ceric ammonium sulfate and 3.8g of ammonium molybdate in 100-mLof 2Nsulfuric acid.
Procedure
Develop the chromatogram until the solvent front has moved not less than 18cm,and dry the plate with the aid of a current of air.Spray the plate with
Spray reagent,heat the plate at 140

for 15minutes,and examine under UVlight:the blue zone due to hyperforin at an
RFvalue of about 0.54in the chromatogram of the
Test solutioncorresponds in color and
RFvalue to that in the chromatogram of the
Standard solution.