40/ARJUN TREEwith a short tip. The base is narrow or cordate and has a
finely crenate margin. The trunk is grooved with a thick
bark.Habitat: IndiaProduction: Arjun Tree bark is the dried trunk bark of
Terminalia arjuna. It is collected in wild areas.Other Names: White Murda
ACTIONS AND PHARMACOLOGY
COMPOUNDS
Tannins: gallotannins, ellagitanninsSteroids: sterols, including beta-sitosterol
Triterpenes: arjunolic acid and its glucosides, oleanolic acidFlavonoids: including arjunolon, baicaleinEFFECTS
Clinical experiments with the bark powder have demon-
strated efficacy against congestive cardiac insufficiency and
hypertonia. Various extracts caused lowered blood pressure,
bradycardia and positively inotropic effects in animal
experiments. Spasmolytic and hemostyptic qualities have
also been described. The substance is said to be sedative and
potentiates the activity of barbiturates.
INDICATIONS AND USAGE
Indian Medicine: Arjun tree is used for fractures, ulcers,
discharge of the urethra, leucorrhea, diabetes, anemia,
cardiopathy, hyperhydrosis, asthma, bronchitis, states of
exhaustion, tumors, dysentery, internal and external hemor-
rhaging, liver cirrhosis and high blood pressure.PRECAUTIONS AND ADVERSE REACTIONS
No health hazards are known in conjunction with the proper
administration of designated therapeutic dosages.DOSAGE
Mode of Administration: Powdered drug and liquid prepara-
tions for internal use.
Preparation: The following basic forms are used in Indian
medicine in many compound preparations.Arjunatvagadi — An aqueous decoction.Pardhadyaristam — An aqueous decoction with grapes and
final fermentation.Arjunaghrtam — A paste of the powdered drug with purified
butter, heated and filtered.Arjunatvak — The powdered drug.Daily Dosage: Since the Indian medicine is dosed according
to the individual patient, there is no exact information
PDR FOR HERBAL MEDICINESavailable. There was, however, one study carried out with a
daily dose of 3.88 gm powdered drug.LITERATURE
Bharani A, Ganguly A, Bhargava KD, Salutary effect of
Terminalia Arjuna in patients with severe refractory heart
failure. Int J Cardiol, 49:191-9, 1995 May.
Chauhan S, Agarwal S, Mathur R, Vasal assault due to
Terminalia arjuna W. & A. bark in albino rats. Andrologia,
53:491-4, 1990 Sep-Oct.
Dwivedi S, Jauhari R, Beneficial effects of Terminalia arjuna in
coronary artery disease. Indian Heart J, 49:507-10, 1997 Sep-
Oct.
Hansel R, Keller K, Rimpler H, Schneider G (Ed), Hagers
Handbuch der Pharmazeutischen Praxis, 5. Aufl., Bde 4-6
(Drogen), Springer Verlag Berlin, Heidelberg, New York, 1992-
1994.
Kandil FE, Nassar MI, A tannin anti-cancer promoter from
Terminalia arjuna. Phytcchemistry, 53:1567-8, 1998 Apr.
Kaur S, Grover IS, Kumar S, Antimutagenic potential of ellagic
acid isolated from Terminalia arjuna. Indian J Exp Biol,
53:478-82, 1997 May.
Pettit GR, Hoard MS, Doubek DL. Schmidt JM, Pettit RK,
Tackett LP, Chapuis JC, Antineoplastic agents 338. The cancer
cell growth inhibitory. Constituents of Terminalia arjuna
(Combretaceae). J Ethnopharmacol, 53:57-63, 1996 Aug.
Pettit GR, Hoard MS, Doubek DL, Schmidt JM, Pettit RK,
Tackett LP, Chapuis JC, Hypocholesterolaemic effects of
Terminalia arjuna tree bark. J Ethnopharmacol, 53:165-9, 1997
Feb.
Pettit GR, Hoard MS, Doubek DL, Schmidt JM, Pettit RK,
Tackett LP, Chapuis JC, On the ethnomedical significance of
die Arjun tree, Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight & Arnot. J
Ethnopharmacol, 53:173-90, 1987 Jul.
Seth SD, Maulik M, Katiyar CK, Maulik SK, Role of Lipistat
in protection against isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis
in rats: a biochemical and histopathological study. Indian J
Physiol Pharmacol, 42:104-6, 1998 Jan.
Singh N, Kapur KK, Singh SP, Shanker K, Sinha JN, Kohli
RP, Mechanism of cardiovascular action of Terminalia arjuna.
Planta Med, 53:102-4, 1982 Jun.
Srivastava N, Prakash D, Behl HM, Biochemical contents, their
variation and changes in free amino acids during seed
germination in Terminalia arjuna. Int J Food Sci Nutt, 53:215-
9, 1997 May.Armoracia rusticana
See Horseradish