Medicinal Properties of Terminalia Arjuna: A Review

Terminalia arjuna, also commonly referred to as T. arjuna, is a deciduous tree that belongs to the family Combretaceae. It can be found in many regions of India. T. arjuna is a 60- to 80-foot-tall tree found alongside rivers and streams all over the Indo-sub-Himalayan areas of Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Chota Nagpur, the southern part of Bihar, Madhya Pradesh and Deccan regions. It has been used to cure several ailments for as far back as the ancient times of India. It is most prevalently consumed to cure and manage several cardiac and vascular diseases, including those like CADs, Angina Pectoris, CHF/Hypertension, and Dyslipidaemia. Its extracts are used to improve cardiac muscles and thus effectively improve heart pumping, heart rate, and blood pressure. The many parts of the tree consist of several phytochemicals, including tannins, flavonoids, glycosides, and triterpenoids like Arjunolic acid, which contribute to its anti-oxidant anti-inflammatory antimicrobial, anticarcinogenic and antimutagenic properties. As of today, there have not been any reports of any harmful side effects regarding its administration. While there are various studies that support its use for a problem of diseases, further research is still required to understand its exact mechanisms. There is also a need for further research on T. arjuna regarding its drug interactions, its specific molecular mechanism of action, and the toxicology involved.