Phytochemical analysis, phenolic content and antioxidant properties of different parts of <em>Terminalia bellirica</em> (Gaertn.) Roxb.- A comparative study

Abstract

<em>Terminalia bellirica</em> (Gaertn.) Roxb., commonly known as <em>Baheda</em>, is one of the three ingredients of the well known <em>Ayurvedic</em> formulation <em>Triphala</em> which is very effective in gastrointestinal tract and eye and brain related problems. In the present study the fruits (TBF), leaves (TBL) and bark (TBB) of <em>T. bellirica</em> were analyzed and phytochemical analysis for triterpenoids and phenolics was done by HPTLC. The Total phenolic content and Total flavonoid content of the samples were in the order TBL>TBF>TBB with TBL showing the highest TPC and TFC with 15.8 mg GAE/g and 33.3 mg QE/g, respectively. Ellagic acid was the most predominant constituent and was found to be present in all the samples of <em>T. bellirica</em>, its percentage being maximum in case of leaves (4.863 %). Their antioxidant potential was also determined. It was observed that the leaves of <em>T. bellirica</em>, which are rich in phenolics and flavonoids, also exhibit the highest antioxidant potential as evidenced by the better DPPH radical scavenging ability as well as the total antioxidant capacity.