Abstract

THE FRUIT ARCHITECTURE, PHARMACOGNOSY AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERS OF TERMINALIA BELLIRICA ROXB

Latha Sadanandan* and Mammen Daniel

ABSTRACT

The present study, conducted to add on the existing data on phytochemistry and pharmacognosy of fruits of Terminalia bellirica, an important component of the famous Ayurvedic formulation “Triphala”, brings out a number of new chemical constituents and anatomical features highly useful in quality control of this drug. The new chemical characters discovered are, mucilage and phenolic acids like p-OH benzoic, vanillic and syringic acids, all possessing significant pharmacological properties. The hitherto unknown pharmacognostic characters located are the typical trichome, 3 types of sclereids, sphaeraphides and peculiar macrosclereids of endocarp. The role of various types of sclereids in strengthening the fruit wall indicate a precise and robust architecture which is also a characteristic feature of this fruit.

Keywords: Terminalia bellirica, Baheda, Mucilage, Trichome, Macrosclereids.