Physicochemical and Preliminary Phytochemical Studies on the Fruit of Tribulus terrestries Linn.

The present communication attempts to evaluate the physicochemical and preliminary phytochemical studies on the fruit of Tribulus terrestries Linn. Zygophyllaceae family.

Tribulus terrestries is an annual or perennial, prostrate herb with many slender, spreading branches and silky-villous young parts. The plant grows wild throughout India, the shrub thrives in well irrigated black soil upto attitudes of 3000m. Tribulus terrestries is traditionally used in the formulation for antiurolithiatic activity, anthelmintic activity, anti-inflammatory activity, cardiac activity, aphrodisiac activity etc.

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.