Abstract

PHARMACOLOGICAL SIGNIFICANCE OF TERMINALIA ARJUNA: A REVIEW

Shikha Sawroop, Prince Kumar*

ABSTRACT

Terminalia arjuna, commonly known as arjuna, belongs to the family of Combretaceae. Its bark decoction is being used in the Indian subcontinent for anginal pain, hypertension, congestive heart failure, and dyslipidemia. The utility of arjuna in various cardiovascular diseases needs to be studied further. Therefore, the present review is an effort on arjuna in cardiovascular disorders, which were particularly performed during the last decade. Most of the studies, have suggested that the crude drug possesses anti‑ischemic, antioxidant, hypolipidemic, and antiatherogenic activities. Its useful phytoconstituents are: Triterpenoids, ‑sitosterol, flavonoids, and glycosides. Triterpenoids and flavonoids are considered to be responsible for its beneficial antioxidant cardiovascular properties. The drug has shown promising effect on ischemic cardiomyopathy. So far, no serious side effects have been reported with arjuna therapy. However, its long‑term safety still remains to be elucidated. Though it has been found quite useful in angina pectoris, mild hypertension, and dyslipidemia, its exact role in primary/secondary coronary prevention is yet to be explored.

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