Physico-phytochemical Evaluation of Raw Material and CO2 extract of Fruits of Terminalia chebula

The present communication attempts to evaluate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz. Combretaceae family. Haritaki is one of the most celebrated herbs in the Indian traditional medicine system, Ayurveda. Terminalia chebula is known to exhibit different properties like anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-protozoal, antimicrobial, antioxidant, hepato and renal protective activities, and in the management of metabolic syndrome. As there is no detailed standardisation work reported on fruit, the physicochemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical constants, heavy metals, analysis are carried out. The phytochemical screening indicated the presence Tannin, Alkaloid, Phenol, Carbohydrate, Steroids, Protein and Resin compounds in CO2 extract of Haritaki. The present investigation will helpful in assessing the quality and purity of a crude drug. Thus, the study provides facts that CO2 extract of Haritaki contains medicinally important bioactive phytochemical compounds which justifies the use of plant species as conventional medicine for treatment of many diseases.