PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILING AND BIOACTIVE POTENTIAL OF HOT AND COLD BARK EXTRACTS OF TERMINALIA ARJUNA: A COMPARATIVE QUALITATIVE AND QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

The present study aimed to evaluate the phytochemical composition of a medicinal plant using both hot continuous extraction and cold maceration techniques, and to correlate these findings with its pharmacological potential. Preliminary phytochemical screening revealed the presence of carbohydrates, glycosides, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, tannins, proteins, amino acids, fixed oils, and fats in both extracts, with alkaloids and triterpenoids detected specifically in the cold extract. Detailed profiling through Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) identified 30 bioactive compounds in the hot extract and 36 in the cold extract. Notably, the cold macerated extract contained Arjunolic acid, a triterpenoid known for its potent antioxidant and cardioprotective properties. Despite a lower extraction yield, the cold extract demonstrated a broader phytochemical spectrum. The presence of bioactive constituents such as flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and arjunolic acid suggests that the pharmacological activities of the plant may be attributed to its rich and diverse phytochemical composition. These findings scientifically support and validate the traditional therapeutic claims made in Ayurveda regarding the medicinal value of this plant.