Analysis of diosgenin and phenol compounds in Tribulus terrestris L.

Abstract

Caltrop (Tribulus terrestris L.) is a weed plant widely growing in warm climate. The crude caltrop has multidirectional pharmacological action favorable for the development of drug preparations. As in European countries caltrop is a non-officinal plant, it seems feasible to develop raw material standardization parameters for creation of novel drugs. In the course of thin layer chromatography research the following compounds were identified in caltrop herb purveyed during the fruiting season: rutin, chlorogenic acid, caffeic acid, diosgenin. Diosgenin content in this raw material was determined by densitometry to be min. 0,11%.