Comprehensive Quality Evaluation: Flow Characteristics, Microscopy and Phytochemical Screening of Terminalia chebula

Introduction: Terminalia chebula are widely recognized for their medicinal value in traditional and modern systems of medicine. The present study was undertaken to evaluate the phytochemical profile and microscopic characteristics of Terminalia plant material in order to establish its identity, quality, and therapeutic relevance. Phytochemical are abundantly present at varying concentrations in numerous medicinal plants. Microscopic examination of the powdered drug showed characteristic diagnostic features such as distinct epidermal cells, lignified fibers, stone cells, xylem vessels with spiral and pitted thickenings, calcium oxalate crystals, and starch grains, which serve as reliable markers for authentication. The powder exhibited fair flow behavior, as indicated by a Carr’s compressibility index of 18.00% and a Hausner’s ratio of 1.22. Proximate analysis revealed the presence of essential nutritional components, including moisture content, ash values, crude protein, crude fat, crude fiber, and carbohydrate content, providing insight into the physicochemical stability and compositional quality of the plant material. Fluorescence analysis was conducted under visible and UV light using different chemicals and solvents. Methods: Powdered Terminalia chebula was evaluated using physicochemical tests: powder characterization, extractive value, alcohol, and water-soluble matter, Ash value and LOD. Flow properties were determined using standard pharmacopeial parameters, including bulk density, tapped density, angle of repose, Carr’s compressibility index, and Hausner’s ratio. Result: Organoleptic characters of Haritaki revealed dark brown color, characteristic odor, astringent taste and fine texture. Physicochemical parameters resulted in water-soluble extractive (67.32±0.83), alcohol-soluble extractive (42.6±1.20), total ash (3.18±0.12), acid insoluble ash (2.78±0.66) and LOD (6.37±0.53) respectively. The phytochemical analysis shows the presence of alkaloids, glycosides, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, carbohydrates and phenols.