Physicochemical and Phytochemical Evaluation of Whole Plant, Fruit and Root of Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris Linn.)

Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris Linn., Zygophyllaceae) is a classical Ayurvedic drug used mainly for urinary and reproductive complaints. Pharmacopoeial standards exist for its fruit and root, but none for the whole plant. We examined all three in samples collected in January 2026. Foreign matter, moisture, total and acid-insoluble ash, extractive values and pH were measured by Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India methods. Methanolic, aqueous and decoction extracts were screened for major metabolite classes, ethanolic extracts were run on TLC, and methanolic extracts were profiled by HPLC. Root and fruit met every pharmacopoeial limit. Glycosides, steroids, terpenoids, saponins and flavonoids were detected, whereas alkaloids were not detected qualitatively. Saponin content was highest in the whole plant (1.87%) and flavonoid content in the fruit (1.62%). The results give working reference values for quality control.