Variation in and relation between morphological, physicochemical and Ayurvedic characteristics for the standards of Terminalia chebula Retz. (Haritaki) from different geographical regions

Background Variation is the common phenomena in natural specimens; but is within certain limit and may show some association between various characteristics. The present study forms the basis of standardization for such natural specimens. Terminalia chebula Retz. ( Haritaki ), one of the most useful Ayurvedic drugs has been worked out for the same aspect. Objective To obtain the range of variations and relation between different characteristics of T . chebula fruit collected from different geographical regions of India; to compare Ayurvedic parameters as mentioned for standards with physicochemical and morphological characteristics of T . chebula fruit; and to develop standards for T . chebula fruit accordingly. Materials and methods Ten samples were obtained by coning and quarting technique from about 3000 fruits obtained from ten different geographical regions, pan India; including one sample of T. pallida for determining variations and relation between usual parameters used for standards; along with assay of chemical group “total phenolic” calorimetrically; instead of any single active principle alone. Ayurvedic parameters as ‘ Nimmjate’ (sinking in water) has also been obtained. Interrelation and correlation between morphological, physicochemical and Ayurvedic parameters were studied. Result Large variations, which are far from existing texts were found. Quality of the fruits as mentioned in Ayurvedic texts for the drug is not available. Conclusion Ayurvedic parameters can be applicable only if the drug is self-collected to avoid any malpractice. The standard of the drugs as obtained here are far from that are reported in various recent texts.