Emblica officinalis

Accelerated stability studies of Emblica officinalis, Terminalia belerica and Terminalia chebula have been carried out as per ICH guidelines and its effect on total polyphenol content as determined by Folin-Ciocalteu method and Gallic acid content as determined by HPLC (High Performance Liquid Chromatography) was studied. The samples were kept in stability chamber at 40°C and 75% relative humidity for 3 months for accelerated stability studies. Samples were taken out at periodic intervals and extracted to determine total polyphenol content by spectrophotometric method and gallic acid content by HPLC. The HPLC method was also validated to demonstrate its selectivity, linearity, precision, and accuracy. The results indicate an increase in total polyphenolic content as well gallic acid content under accelerated stability conditions which is indicative of hydrolysis of gallotannic acids present in crude drugs to liberate free gallic acid, thereby increasing the total polyphenolic content.

In the present study, methanolic extract of Triphala (an Ayurvedic formulation) and its constituents; Terminalia chebula, Terminalia Belerica & Emblica officinalis were evaluated & compared for the antioxidant activity. Antioxidant activity of the methanolic extracts were measured using ABTS & DPPH radical scavenging assays. The extracts were found to scavenge free radicals; ABTS & DPPH in a dose dependent manner. Total Phenolic content of the extracts were determined and expressed in terms of Gallic acid equivalents. On the basis of the results, it could be concluded that triphala and its constituents are potential source of natural antioxidants and the antioxidant activity is directly related to the phenolic compounds, suggesting direct contribution of phenolic compounds to these activities. Key words: Triphala, Emblica officinalis, Terminalia chebula, Terminalia belerica.