Figure 11: Comparison of different mobile phases used in the TLC analysis of Bupleurum. (The asterisk symbol shows the location of saikosaponin a). 1: chloroform-methanol-water (7:2:0.2); 2: ethyl acetate-methanol-water (8:2:1); 3: chloroform-ethyl acetate- methanol-water-acetic acid (20:40:22:9.5:0.5); lower layer after layering at 10°C 4: chloroform-ethyl acetate-methanol-water (20:40:20:10); lower layer after layering at 10°C.