Pharmacognostical, Pharmaceutical Studies and HPTLC Fingerprint of Terminalia chebula Retz. Fruits

Terminalia chebula Retz. is a valuable medicinal plant used in treatment of various ailments in traditional medicines due to the presence of large number of biological active chemicals and biochemicals. This plant is used by the pharma industry to prepare many medicinal formulations to cure different diseases. Ayurveda has large number of effective single and poly herbal formulations against diseases. In the past decades increasing the demand for traditional medicines, maintaining the quality standards are must necessary. Fruits of Terminalia chebula Retz. was subjected to pharmacognostical, physicochemical, phytochemical, microbial limit test (MLT) and HPTLC analysis as per standard protocols. The experimental findings of Pharmacognostical study of the drug showed group of sclereids, mesocarp, epidermal cell, starch grains, simple pitted vessels and fibres. The % yields of physicochemical values such as loss on drying, water soluble extractive, alcohol soluble extractive, total ash, acid insoluble ash and pH are 8.54, 52.5, 47.76, 2.39, 0.21 and 3.80. Phytochemical studies showed the presence of alkaloids, carbohydrates, protein, resin, tannin and saponin. MLT parameters are as per API standard protocol. HPTLC fingerprint of Terminalia chebula Retz. fruit were developed.