Detection of the potential adulterant Teucrium chamaedrys in Scutellaria baicalensis raw material and extract by high-performance thin-layer chromatography.

Teucrium chamaedrys (Gemander) has been reported as an adulterant of Scutellaria lateriflora (American skullcap) herbal preparations and is also known to be hepatotoxic. A quick and simple high-performance thin-layer chromatographic (HPTLC) method was developed for the detection of T. chamaedrys (Germander) in S. baicalensis (Chinese skullcap) extract, an ingredient of the proprietary blend product, Univestin. The HPTLC profile of T. chamaedrys was distinguished from that of S. baicalensis by its bright green fluorescence bands. This simple method can be completed in an hour for the quality control of Univestin and its raw material, S. baicalensis. The method is sensitive and can detect T. chamaedrys at levels as low as 0.5% (w/w).