Abstract

AN IN-DEPTH STUDY ON VARIOUS PARTS OF TRIBULUS TERRESTRIS LINN., ONE OF THE FAMOUS “DASAMOOLA” OF INDIA

Elizabeth Robin*, Sameera Patel, Komal Gupta and Mammen Daniel

ABSTRACT

Tribulus terrestris L., an important medicinal plant, is famous as a testosterone stimulant and its roots form one of the components of “Dasamoola”. The roots are poorly studied for their constituents and the aerial parts of the plant are often substituted for roots. A study on the phytochemicals of roots revealed the presence of same saponins as that of other parts, but are devoid of flavonoids and alkaloids of aerial parts. Therefore the substituting roots with aerial parts is not recommended. The individual study of all organs provided the quantitative data on the saponins and flavonoids of each organ as well as their specific pharmacognostic markers. Leaves are the richest sources of saponins and flavonoids closely followed by fruits. The different parts of plant possess distinct anatomical and pharmacognostic characters and thus can be distinguished from each other.

Keywords: Tribulus terrestris, Dasamoola, Phytochemistry, Pharmacognosy, Flavonoids, Saponins.