Quantitative Determination of Saponins in Terminalia chebula and Comparative Study of Terminalia species by High Performance Thin Layer Chromatography

The fruits and bark of different species of Terminalia (Combretaceae) trees have been used since the Vedic period (1500–500 BC) for the treatment of various aliments [1]. Terminalia chebula Retz. is a native plant to India and Southeast Asia [2]. The medicinal properties of T. chebula have been known from anicent times and were described by Charaka in his text „Charaka samhita“ [3]. The friut powder of T. chebula is used in India to treat several diseases ranging from digestive, coronary disorders to allergic and infectious diseases such as cough and skin disorders.