Physicochemical and Preliminary Phytochemical Studies on the Fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz.

The present communication attempts to evaluate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the fruit of Terminalia chebula Retz. Combretaceae family. Haritaki is semi-deciduous tree grows up to 24 meter in height. Terminalia Chebula is found throughout India chiefly in deciduous forests, on dry slopes up to 900m especially in Tamil Nadu, widely distributed through the greater parts of India, from Ravi eastwards to West Bengal and Assam, Bihar, Orissa, Madhya Pradesh, Deccan, West coast and Western Ghats. The plant is also reported in Sri Lanka, Nepal and Burma. Terminalia chebula is traditionally used in the formulation for anti-diabetic, antimicrobial, laxative, antiinflammatory, laxative, anti-fungal, cardiotonic, diuretic, hyperlipidemic activity. As there is no detailed standardisation work reported on fruit, the physicochemical parameters, preliminary phytochemical constants, toxic heavy metals, pesticide residue, and aflatoxin analysis are carried out. The study revealed specific identities for the particular crude drug which will be useful in identification and control to adulterations of the raw drug.