Scientific Validation of Purification Method of Terminalia chebula in Siddha Medical Practice in India

In recent years, there has been great demand for plant derived products and are increasingly being sought out as medicinal products, nutraceuticals and cosmetics [1]. This article provides an overview of the purification methods of Terminalia chebula (TC) as mentioned in Siddha medical practice [2], a traditional medical system in India. According to this practice the purification of the herb is to remove the seed from the ripen fruit before processing into medicine. The dried ripen fruit of Terminalia chebula (TC) purchased from a local crude drug market was subjected for its authentication in Department of Pharmacognosy, Siddha Central Research Institute, Chennai. Changes in the chemical profile of Terminalia chebula before (with seed=TCS) and after purification (without seed=TCWS) is achieved through physiochemical, phytochemical and HPTLC analysis. The results revealed TCWS has 60% water soluble extract and 40% alcohol soluble extract to that of 25% and 15% respectively in TCS. The total ash content was very minimal in TCWS. There is increase in the concentration of tannins, anthroquinones, alkaloids, saponins and decrease in the protein content in TCWS. No change in the concentration of total phenols, flavones, glycosides, reducing sugar and quinines. The HPTLC analysis shows nine peaks for TCWS whereas seven for TCS. This study reassures that Terminalia chebula is pharmaceutically potent only after the removal of seeds which scientifically substantiates the intuition of Siddhars.

Acknowledgements: Thanks to Herbal and Indian Medicine Research Lab, Sri Ramachandra University, Porur, Chennai, Tamilnadu, India.

References: [1] Sagar Bhanu PS, Zafar R, Panwar R, (2005) The Indian Pharmacist, 4(35): 19–22. [2] Arjun R, Duraisamy AJ, et al. (2009) Int J of Pharmaceuticals Analysis 1(2): 20–30.