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Clinical Studies

Abstracts are presented below for clinical studies on Arjuna.

  • Botanical Name: Terminalia Arjuna

  • Ayurvedic Name: Arjuna

  • Common Name: Arjuna

Terminalia Arjuna

Plant Phytonutrient Profile


1: Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 2006 Apr/​Jun;50(2):133/​42.

Effect of Terminalia arjuna stem bark on antioxidant status in liver and kidney
of alloxan diabetic rats.

Raghavan B, Kumari SK.

Department of Biochemistry, P.S.G. College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore 641
014. ragavpsg@yahoo.co.in

Free radicals and associated oxidative stress induced by alloxan are implicated
in eliciting pathological changes in diabetes mellitus. Terminalia arjuna bark,
an indigenous plant used in ayurvedic medicine in India, primarily as a
cardiotonic is also used in treating diabetes, anemia, tumors and hypertension.
The present study examined the effect of ethanolic extract (250 and 500 mg/kg
body weight) of Terminalia arjuna stem bark in alloxan induced diabetic rats and
its lipid peroxidation, enzymatic and nonenzymatic activity was investigated in
the liver and kidney tissues. The extract produced significant (P<0.05)
reduction in lipid peroxidation (LPO). The effect of oral T. arjuna at the dose
of 500 mg/kg body weight was more than the 250 mg/kg body weight. The extract
also causes a significant (P<0.05) increase in superoxide dismutase, catalase,
glutathione peroxidase, glutathione/​s/​transferase glutathione reductase and
glucose/​6/​phosphate dehydrogenase, reduced glutathione, vitamin A, vitamin C,
vitamin E, total sulfhydryl groups (TSH) and non protein sulfhydryl groups
(NPSH) in liver and kidney of alloxan induced diabetic rats, which clearly
shows, the antioxidant property of T. arjuna bark. The result indicates that the
extract exhibit the antioxidant activity through correction of oxidative stress
and validates the traditional use of this plant in diabetic animals.

PMID: 17051732 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

2: Pharmazie. 2006 Sep;61(9):793/​5.

Cardio/​protective role of Terminalia arjuna bark extract is possibly mediated
through alterations in thyroid hormones.

Parmar HS, Panda S, Jatwa R, Kar A.

School of Life Sciences, DA University, Indore, India.

Terminalia arjuna bark extract is believed to exhibit cardio/​protective effects.
In the present study we investigated the possible involvement of thyroid
hormones in the amelioration of cardiac and hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) by
a bark extract of the plant in albino rats. While L/​thyroxine (L/​T4) treatment
increased the level of thyroid hormones, heart/body weight ratio as well as
cardiac and hepatic lipid peroxidation, simultaneous administration of 21.42 and
42.84 mg/kg of the plant extract decreased the level of thyroid hormones and
also the cardiac LPO, suggesting the possible mediation of the drug action
through an inhibition in thyroid function. These effects were comparable to a
standard antithyroid drug, propyl thiouracil (PTU). When the drug was
administered to euthyroid animals, serum concentrations of thyroid hormones were
decreased, whereas the hepatic LPO increased indicating a drug induced toxicity
in euthyroid subjects. Although a suboptimal dose of the drug was found to be
non/​toxic to the liver, it appeared to be of no use, as it could neither affect
the thyroid functions nor the cardiac lipid peroxidation. Since in euthyroid
animals, thyroid hormones were decreased and hepatic LPO was increased, it is
suggested that high amounts of this plant extract should not be consumed, as
hepatotoxicity as well as hypothyroidism may be caused.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17020158 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

3: BMC Complement Altern Med. 2006 Sep 30;6:33.

Aqueous extract of Terminalia arjuna prevents carbon tetrachloride induced
hepatic and renal disorders.

Manna P, Sinha M, Sil PC.

Department of Chemistry, Bose Institute, 93/1, Acharya Prafulla Chandra Road,
Kolkata/​700009, India. prasenjitmanna2005@yahoo.co.in

BACKGROUND: Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is a well/​known hepatotoxin and exposure
to this chemical is known to induce oxidative stress and causes liver injury by
the formation of free radicals. Acute and chronic renal damage are also very
common pathophysiologic disturbances caused by CCl4. The present study has been
conducted to evaluate the protective role of the aqueous extract of the bark of
Termnalia arjuna (TA), an important Indian medicinal plant widely used in the
preparation of ayurvedic formulations, on CCl4 induced oxidative stress and
resultant dysfunction in the livers and kidneys of mice. METHODS: Animals were
pretreated with the aqueous extract of TA (50 mg/kg body weight) for one week
and then challenged with CCl4 (1 ml/kg body weight) in liquid paraffin (1:1,
v/v) for 2 days. Serum marker enzymes, namely, glutamate pyruvate transaminase
(GPT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) were estimated in the sera of all study
groups. Antioxidant status in both the liver and kidney tissues were estimated
by determining the activities of the antioxidative enzymes, superoxide dismutase
(SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione/​S/​transferase (GST); as well as by
determining the levels of thiobarbutaric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and
reduced glutathione (GSH). In addition, free radical scavenging activity of the
extract was determined from its DPPH radical quenching ability. RESULTS: Results
showed that CCl4 caused a marked rise in serum levels of GPT and ALP. TBARS
level was also increased significantly whereas GSH, SOD, CAT and GST levels were
decreased in the liver and kidney tissue homogenates of CCl4 treated mice.
Aqueous extract of TA successfully prevented the alterations of these effects in
the experimental animals. Data also showed that the extract possessed strong
free radical scavenging activity comparable to that of vitamin C. CONCLUSION:
Our study demonstrated that the aqueous extract of the bark of TA could protect
the liver and kidney tissues against CCl4/​induced oxidative stress probably by
increasing antioxidative defense activities.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 17010209 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

4: Phytother Res. 2006 Sep;20(9):799/​805.

Evaluation of phytoconstituents of Terminalia arjuna for wound healing activity
in rats.

Chaudhari M, Mengi S.

CU Shah College of Pharmacy, SNDT Women's University, Mumbai/​400 049, India.

The effect of topical application of phytoconstituents (fraction I, II and III)
fractionated from a hydroalcohol extract of the bark of the plant, Terminalia
arjuna, was assessed on the healing of rat dermal wounds using in vivo models.
The results indicated a statistically significant increase in the tensile
strength of the incision wounds and the percent epithelialization of excision
wounds compared with control (p < 0.05). However, topical treatment with
fraction I, consisting mainly of tannins, was found to demonstrate a maximum
increase in the tensile strength of incision wounds. Even with respect to
excision wounds, the fastest rate of epithelialization was seen with fraction I.
Hexosamine estimation of granulation tissue obtained from excision wounds
revealed an increase in the hexosamine content with fraction I compared with the
control. In addition, fraction I from the hydroalcohol extract of Arjuna bark
possessed antimicrobial activity against tested microorganisms such as
Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus
pyogenes but not Candida albicans. These results strongly document the
beneficial effects of fraction I, consisting mainly of tannins, of Terminalia
arjuna in the acceleration of the healing process. Thus, the present study
validates the claim made with respect to the plant as well as corroborating the
astringent effect of tannins by drawing the tissues closer together. Copyright
(c) 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

PMID: 16835874 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

5: Can J Microbiol. 2006 May;52(5):427/​35.

Fungal endophyte assemblages from ethnopharmaceutically important medicinal
trees.

Tejesvi MV, Mahesh B, Nalini MS, Prakash HS, Kini KR, Subbiah V, Shetty HS.

Department of Studies in Applied Botany and Biotechnology, University of Mysore,
Manasagangothri, Karnataka, India.

Endophytic fungi represent an interesting group of microorganisms associated
with the healthy tissues of terrestrial plants. They represent a large reservoir
of genetic diversity. Fungal endophytes were isolated from the inner bark
segments of ethnopharmaceutically important medicinal tree species, namely
Terminalia arjuna, Crataeva magna, Azadirachta indica, Holarrhena
antidysenterica, Terminalia chebula, and Butea monosperma (11 individual trees),
growing in different regions of southern India. Forty/​eight fungal species were
recovered from 2200 bark segments. Mitosporic fungi represented a major group
(61%), with ascomycetes (21%) and sterile mycelia (18%) the next major groups.
Species of Fusarium, Pestalotiopsis, Myrothecium, Trichoderma, Verticillium, and
Chaetomium were frequently isolated. Exclusive fungal taxa were recovered from
five of the six plant species considered for the study of endophytic fungi.
Rarefaction indices for species richness indicated the highest expected number
of species for bark segments were isolated from T. arjuna and A. indica (20
species each) and from C. magna (18 species).

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16699567 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

6: World J Gastroenterol. 2006 Feb 21;12(7):1018/​24.

Effects of Terminalia arjuna bark extract on apoptosis of human hepatoma cell
line HepG2.

Sivalokanathan S, Vijayababu MR, Balasubramanian MP.

Department of Pharmacology and Environmental Toxicology, Dr. ALM Post Graduate
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus,
Chennai/​600 113, Tamil Nadu, India.

AIM: To investigate the effects of Terminalia arjuna (T. arjuna) extract on
human hepatoma cell line (HepG2) and its possible role in induction of
apoptosis. METHODS: Human hepatoma cells were treated with different
concentrations of ethanolic extract of T. arjuna and its cytotoxicity effect was
measured by trypan blue exclusion method and lactate dehydrogenase leakage
assay. Apoptosis was analyzed by light and fluorescence microscopic methods, and
DNA fragmentation. The mechanism of apoptosis was studied with expression of p53
and caspase/​3 proteins. Glutathione (GSH) content was also measured in HepG2
cells after T. arjuna treatment. RESULTS: T. arjuna inhibited the proliferation
of HepG2 cells in a concentration/​dependent manner. Apoptotic morphology was
observed in HepG2 cells treated with T. arjuna at the concentrations of 60 and
100 mg/L. DNA fragmentation, accumulation of p53 and cleavage of procaspase/​3
protein were observed in HepG2 cells after the treatment with T. arjuna. The
depletion of GSH was observed in HepG2 cells treated with T. arjuna. CONCLUSION:
T. arjuna induced cytotoxicity in HepG2 cells in vitro. Apoptosis of HepG2 cells
may be due to the DNA damage and expression of apoptotic proteins. Depletion of
GSH may be involved in the induction of apoptosis of HepG2 cells.

PMID: 16534840 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

7: Mol Cell Biochem. 2006 Jan;281(1/​2):87/​93.

Antioxidant activity of Terminalia arjuna bark extract on N/​nitrosodiethylamine
induced hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.

Sivalokanathan S, Ilayaraja M, Balasubramanian MP.

Department of Pharmacology and Environmental Toxicology, Dr. ALM Post/​Graduate
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani Campus,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.

The present investigation was carried out to evaluate the antioxidant nature of
ethanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna bark (EETA) on N/​nitrosodiethylamine
(DEN) induced liver cancer in male Wistar albino rats. Liver cancer was induced
by single intraperitonial injection of DEN (200 mg/kg). After 2 weeks of DEN
administration, Phenobarbital (PB) was given to promote the cancer for up to 14
successive weeks. EETA extract (400 mg/kg) was given post/​orally for 28 days to
hepatocellular carcinoma/​bearing rats. After the experimental period, all the
animals were sacrificed and serum, liver and kidney samples were collected for
further biochemical analysis. The levels of lipid peroxides (LPO) under basal
and also in the presence of inducers (H(2)O(2), ascorbate and FeSO(4)) were
estimated in serum, liver and kidney of control and experimental animals.
Enzymic antioxidants, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT),
glutathione peroxidase (GPx) and non/​enzymic antioxidants like Vitamin C (Vit/​C)
and Vitamin E (Vit/​E) levels were determined in all the groups of animals. A
significant increase in LPO levels were observed while the levels of enzymic and
non/​enzymic antioxidants were decreased, when subjected to DEN induction. These
altered enzyme levels were ameliorated significantly by administration of EETA
at the concentration of 400 mg/kg in drug/​treated animals. This protective
effect of EETA was associated with inhibition of LPO induced by DEN and to
maintain the antioxidant enzyme levels. Our results show an antioxidant activity
of T. arjuna bark against DEN/​induced liver cancer.

PMID: 16328960 [PubMed /​ in process]

8: Phytomedicine. 2005 Sep;12(9):619/​24.

The efficacy of Liv/​52 on liver cirrhotic patients: a randomized, double/​blind,
placebo/​controlled first approach.

Huseini HF, Alavian SM, Heshmat R, Heydari MR, Abolmaali K.

Department of Pharmacology, Institute of Medicinal Plants, No. 97, Bozorgmehr
St., Ghods St., Enghelab Ave., Tehran, Iran. huseini_fallah@yahoo.com

Cirrhosis is the irreversible sequel of various disorders that damage liver
cells permanently over time. Presently, the use of herbal medicines for
prevention and control of chronic liver diseases is in the focus of attention
for both the physicians and the patients; the reasons for such shift toward the
use of herbals include the expensive cost of conventional drugs, adverse drug
reactions, and their inefficacy. In the present study, the efficacy of herbal
medicine Liv/​52 (consisting of Mandur basma, Tamarix gallica and herbal extracts
of Capparis spinosa, Cichorium intybus, Solanum nigrum, Terminalia arjuna and
Achillea millefolium) on liver cirrhosis outcomes was compared with the placebo
for 6 months in 36 cirrhotic patients referred to Tehran Hepatic Center. The
outcome measures included child/​pugh score, ascites, serum alanine
aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), total billirubin,
albumin, prothrombin time, platelet and white blood cells counts. The indices
were recorded in all patients before and after 6 months of drug or placebo
treatment. The results demonstrated that the patients treated with Liv/​52 for 6
months had significantly better child/​pugh score, decreased ascites, decreased
serum ALT and AST. In placebo administered patients all the clinical parameters
recorded at beginning of the study were not significantly different than after 6
months. We conclude that Liv/​52 possess hepatoprotective effect in cirrhotic
patients. This protective effect of Liv/​52 can be attributed to the diuretic,
anti/​inflammatory, anti/​oxidative, and immunomodulating properties of the
component herbs.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 16194047 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

9: Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2005 Jun;56(4):287/​91.

Phenolic contents and antioxidant activity of some food and medicinal plants.

Bajpai M, Pande A, Tewari SK, Prakash D.

Nutraceutical Chemistry, National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India.

To identify promising sources of antioxidants, some food and medicinal plants
were studied for total phenolic contents and antioxidant activity. The leaves,
bark and fruits of Terminalia arjuna, Terminalia bellerica, Terminalia chebula
and Terminalia muelleri, the leaves and fruits of Phyllanthus emblica, and the
seeds of Syzygium cumini were found to have high total phenolic contents
(72.0/​167.2 mg/g) and high antioxidant activity (69.6/​90.6%). Leaves of
Eucalyptusglobulus were a rich source of rutin, Moringa oleifera for kaempferol,
aerial parts of Centella asiatica for quercetin, fruits of T. bellerica and T.
chebula for gallic acid, and bark of T. arjuna, leaves and fruits of T.
bellerica and bark, leaves and fruits of T. muelleri for ellagic acid.

PMID: 16096138 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

10: Phytomedicine. 2005 May;12(5):391/​3.

Effect of oleanane triterpenoids from Terminalia arjuna/​/​a cardioprotective drug
on the process of respiratory oxyburst.

Pawar RS, Bhutani KK.

Department of Natural Products, National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education
and Research, Sect. 67, S.A.S. Nagar, Phase X, (Mohali), Punjab, India.

The oleanane triterpenes arjunic acid, arjungenin and their glucosides,
arjunetin and arjunglucoside II, were isolated from the bark of Terminalia
arjuna. Arjungenin and its glucoside exhibited a moderate free radical
scavenging activity while all the compounds showed no effect on the superoxide
release from PMN cells. Further arjungenin also exhibited greater inhibitory
action on the hypochlorous acid production from human neutrophils.

PMID: 15957375 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

11: Int J Cardiol. 2005 Apr 28;100(3):507/​8.

Role of Terminalia arjuna in ischaemic mitral regurgitation.

Dwivedi S, Aggarwal A, Agarwal MP, Rajpal S.

The bark powder of Terminalia arjuna, an indigenous plant has been found to have
antianginal, decongestive and hypolipidemic effect. We planned a study to
evaluate the role of T. arjuna in ischemic mitral regurgitation (IMR) following
acute myocardial infarction (AMI). 40 patients with fresh AMI showing IMR were
randomly divided into 2 groups of 20 each. They were given placebo or 500 mg of
T. arjuna in addition to anti/​ischemic treatment. After 1 and 3 months of follow
up, patients receiving adjuvant T. arjuna showed significant decrease in IMR,
improvement in E/A ratio and considerable reduction in anginal frequency.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Letter
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 15837100 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

12: Indian J Exp Biol. 2005 Mar;43(3):264/​7.

Efficacy of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) on N/​nitrosodiethylamine induced
hepatocellular carcinoma in rats.

Sivalokanathan S, Ilayaraja M, Balasubramanian MP.

Department of Pharmacology and Environmental Toxicology, Dr. ALM Post/​Graduate
Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, University of Madras, Taramani, Chennai 600
113, India.

The effect of ethanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna bark on carbohydrate
metabolizing enzymes of N/​nitrosodiethylamine induced hepatocellular carcinoma
in Wistar albino rats were studied. The plasma and liver glycolytic enzymes such
as hexokinase, phosphoglucoisomerase, aldolase were significantly increased in
cancer induced animals while glyconeogenic enzyme, glucose/​6/​phosphatase was
decreased. These enzymes were reverted significantly to near normal range in
treated animals after oral administration of T. arjuna for 28 days. The
modulation of the enzymes constitute the depletion of energy metabolism leads to
inhibition of cancer growth. This inhibitory activity may be due to the
anticancer activity of constituents present in the ethanolic extract of T.
arjuna.

PMID: 15816414 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

13: Planta Med. 2005 Mar;71(3):237/​43.

Casuarinin from the bark of Terminalia arjuna induces apoptosis and cell cycle
arrest in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF/​7 cells.

Kuo PL, Hsu YL, Lin TC, Lin LT, Chang JK, Lin CC.

Department of Biotechnology, Chia/​Nan University of Pharmacy and Science,
Tainan, Taiwan.

Casuarinin, a hydrolyzable tannin isolated from the bark of Terminalia arjuna L.
(Combretaceae), was investigated for its antiproliferative activity in human
breast adenocarcinoma MCF/​7 cells. The results showed that casuarinin inhibited
the proliferation of MCF/​7 by blocking cell cycle progression in the G0/G1 phase
and inducing apoptosis. An enzyme/​linked immunosorbent assay showed that
casuarinin increased the expression of p21/WAF1 concomitantly as the MCF/​7 cells
underwent G0/G1 arrest. An enhancement in Fas/APO/​1 and its two forms of
ligands, membrane/​bound Fas ligand (mFasL) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), might
be responsible for the apoptotic effect induced by casuarinin. Our study reports
here for the first time that the induction of p21/WAF1 and the activity of
Fas/Fas ligand apoptotic system may participate in the antiproliferative
activity of casuarinin in MCF/​7 cells.

PMID: 15770544 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

14: Anticancer Drugs. 2005 Apr;16(4):409/​15.

Induction of cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in human non/​small cell lung cancer
A549 cells by casuarinin from the bark of Terminalia arjuna Linn.

Kuo PL, Hsu YL, Lin TC, Chang JK, Lin CC.

Department of Biotechnology, Chia/​Nan University of Pharmacy and Science,
Tainan, Taiwan.

Casuarinin, a hydrolyzable tannin isolated from the bark of Terminalia arjuna
Linn. (Combretaceae), inhibits human non/​small cell lung cancer A549 cells by
blocking cell cycle progression in the G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis.
Enzyme/​linked immunosorbent assay showed that the G0/G1 phase arrest is due to
p53/​dependent induction of p21/WAF1. An enhancement in Fas/APO/​1 and the two
forms of Fas ligand (FasL), membrane/​bound FasL and soluble FasL, might be
responsible for the apoptotic effect induced by casuarinin. Our study reports
here for the first time that the induction of p53 and the activity of the
Fas/FasL apoptotic system may participate in the antiproliferative activity of
casuarinin in A549 cells.

PMID: 15746577 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

15: J Ethnopharmacol. 2005 Jan 15;96(3):403/​9. Epub 2004 Nov 21.

Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) protects rabbit heart against ischemic/​reperfusion
injury: role of antioxidant enzymes and heat shock protein.

Gauthaman K, Banerjee SK, Dinda AK, Ghosh CC, Maulik SK.

Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical sciences, New Delhi
110029, India.

The bark of Terminalia arjuna Roxb. (TA) is widely recommended for the treatment
of ischemic heart disease (IHD) in Indian system of medicine. Oral
administration of TA for 12 weeks in rabbits caused augmentation of myocardial
antioxidants; superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and glutathione (GSH)
along with induction of heat shock protein72 (HSP72). In vivo
ischemic/​reperfusion injury induced oxidative stress, tissue injury of heart and
haemodynamic effects were prevented in the TA treated rabbit hearts. The study
provides scientific basis for the putative therapeutic effect of TA in ischemic
heart disease.

PMID: 15619558 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

16: Planta Med. 2004 Nov;70(11):1022/​6.

Casuarinin protects cultured MDCK cells from hydrogen peroxide/​induced oxidative
stress and DNA oxidative damage.

Chen CH, Liu TZ, Kuo TC, Lu FJ, Chen YC, Chang/​Chien YW, Lin CC.

Department of Medical Technology, Fooyin University, Ta/​Liao, Kaohsiung Hsien,
Taiwan, ROC.

Casuarinin has been shown to be an antioxidant in acellular experiments. This
study was designed to assess the ability of casuarinin, extracted from
Terminalia arjuna, to protect cultured Madin/​Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cells
against H2O2/​mediated oxidative stress. A comparison with trolox, a hydrosoluble
vitamin E analogue was performed. MDCK cells were pretreated with casuarinin or
trolox for 1 h, then exposed to H2O2. After incubation with 0.8 mM H2O2 for 1 h,
casuarinin caused a decrease in intracellular peroxide production as shown by
dichlorofluorescein (DCF) fluorescence in a concentration/​dependent manner.
After 3 h exposure to 8 mM H2O2, the percentage of intracellular glutathione
(GSH)/​negative cells was reduced in the casuarinin/​treated group. Addition of
32mM H2O2 to MDCK cells for 3 h induced an increase in the percentage of cells
containing 8/​oxoguanine but the level of such cells declined in
casuarinin/​treated cells. These results show that casuarinin is more effective
against H2O2/​induced oxidative damage than trolox. The data suggest that
casuarinin attenuates H2O2/​induced oxidative stress, decreases DNA oxidative
damage and prevents the depletion of intracellular GSH in MDCK cells.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15549656 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

17: ScientificWorldJournal. 2004 Oct 22;4:887/​91.

Induction of biomolecules in mature leaves of Terminalia arjuna due to feeding
of Antheraea mylitta Drury.

Abraham G, Thomas G, Babu CR.

Department of Botany, Allahabad Agriculture Institute/​Deemed University,
Allahabad, India. gabraham1@rediffmail.com

Terminalia arjuna is an important food plant of the tasar silkworm, Antheraea
mylitta Drury. In this study, we investigated the induction of biomolecules in
mature leaves of these plants subjected to insect feeding. Increase in total
tannin content, lipid peroxidation, and trypsin inhibitor activity have been
observed in mature leaves damaged by the insects. The growth rate of Vth instar
larvae of A. mylitta fed on previously damaged foliage reduced by 87.1%.
Induction of biomolecules for defense mechanisms in relation to herbivore damage
has been discussed.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15523561 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

18: Phytother Res. 2004 Aug;18(8):670/​3.

Antimicrobial evaluation of some medicinal plants for their anti/​enteric
potential against multi/​drug resistant Salmonella typhi.

Rani P, Khullar N.

Department of Biotechnology, Panjab University, Chandigarh/​160 014, India.

Screening was done of some plants of importance in the Ayurvedic system of
traditional medicine used in India to treat enteric diseases. Fifty four plant
extracts (methanol and aqueous) were assayed for their activity against
multi/​drug resistant Salmonella typhi. Strong antibacterial activity was shown
by the methanol extracts of Aegle marmelos, Salmalia malabarica, Punica
granatum, Myristica fragrans, Holarrhena antidysenterica, Terminalia arjuna and
Triphal (mixture of Emblica of fi cinalis, Terminalia chebula and Terminalia
belerica). Moderate antimicrobial activity was shown by Picorhiza kurroa, Acacia
catechu, Acacia nilotica, Cichorium intybus, Embelia ribes, Solanum nigrum,
Carum copticum, Apium graveolens, Ocimum sanctum, Peucedanum graveolens and
Butea monosperma.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15476301 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

19: Bioresour Technol. 2005 Feb;96(3):363/​72.

Isolation of colour components from native dye/​bearing plants in northeastern
India.

Bhuyan R, Saikia CN.

Regional Research Laboratory, Council for Scientific and Industrial Research,
Jorhat 785006, India.

Recently dyes derived from natural sources have emerged as important
alternatives to synthetic dyes. A study was initiated in the year 2000 at the
RRL (CSIR), Jorhat to extract dyes from parts of five different plant species
indigenous to northeastern India. The colour components responsible for dyeing
were isolated and their chemical constituents were established based on chemical
and spectroscopic investigations. The principal colour components from the
species Morinda angustifolia Roxb., Rubia cordifolia Linn. and Tectona grandis
Linn. were found to contain mainly anthraquinone moieties in their molecules.
Those from the species Mimusops elengi Linn. and Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight
& Arn. contained flavonoid moieties in their molecules. The absorption of dye
(%) on fibres increased with increasing concentrations of dye in the dye/​bath.
Maximum absorption of dyes on fibres was obtained at 3% concentration of dyes
obtained from R. cordfolia (35.350%), M. angustifolia (31.580%) and T. grandis
(25.888%) and at 4% concentration of the dyes from M. elengi (31.917%) and T.
arjuna (12.246%). The K/S values were found to increase with the increase in
concentration of mordants. The colour co/​ordinates of dyed samples were found to
lie in the yellow/​red quadrant of the colour space diagram. The dyes obtained
from the native plants may be alternative sources to synthetic dyes for the
dyeing of natural silk and cotton.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15474939 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

20: Indian Heart J. 2004 Mar/​Apr;56(2):123/​8.

Terminalia arjuna reverses impaired endothelial function in chronic smokers.

Bharani A, Ahirwar LK, Jain N.

Division of Cardiology, Department of Medicine, Mahatma Gandhi Memorial Medical
College and Maharaja Yashwant Rao Hospital, Indore. tanmaybharani@eth.net

BACKGROUND: Smoking, largely through increased oxidative stress, causes
endothelial dysfunction which is an early key event in atherosclerosis. Smoking
cessation and antioxidant vitamin therapy are shown to have beneficial role by
restoring altered endothelial physiology. The present study was aimed to
determine whether Terminalia arjuna, an Indian medicinal plant with potent
antioxidant constituents, would improve endothelial dysfunction in smokers.
METHODS AND RESULTS: Eighteen healthy male smokers (age 28.16+//​9.45 years) and
equal number of age/​matched non/​smoker controls participated in the study. The
baseline brachial artery reactivity studies were performed using high frequency
ultrasound according to standard protocol under identical conditions to
determine endothelium/​dependent, flow/​mediated dilation and
endothelium/​independent nitroglycerine/​mediated dilation. The two groups were
matched regarding age, body mass index, blood pressure, serum cholesterol, mean
resting vessel diameters and post/​occlusion flow velocities (all p=NS). While
flow/​mediated dilation was significantly impaired amongst smokers compared to
controls (4.71+//​2.22 v. 11.75+//​5.94%, p <0.005), the nitroglycerine/​mediated
dilation was similar in the two groups (20.35+//​3.89 v. 19.68+//​3.74%, p=NS).
Subsequently the smokers were given Terminalia arjuna (500 mg q8h) or matching
placebo randomly in a double blind cross/​over design for two weeks each,
followed by repetition of brachial artery reactivity studies to determine
various parameters including flow/​mediated dilation after each period. There was
no significant difference as regards vessel diameter and flow velocities between
the two therapies. However, the flow/​mediated dilation showed significant
improvement from baseline values after Terrminalia arjuna therapy but not with
placebo (9.31+//​3.74 v. 5.17+//​2.42%, p <0.005). CONCLUSIONS: Smokers have
impaired endothelium/​dependent but normal endothelium/​independent vasodilation
as determined by brachial artery reactivity studies. Further, Terrminalia arjuna
therapy for two weeks leads to significant regression of this endothelial
abnormality amongst smokers.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Comparative Study
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 15377133 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

21: J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol. 1999;18(2):119/​25.

Antigenotoxic properties of Terminalia arjuna bark extracts.

Scassellati/​Sforzolini G, Villarini LM, Moretti LM, Marcarelli LM, Pasquini R,
Fatigoni C, Kaur LS, Kumar S, Grover IS.

Department of Hygiene, University of Perugia, Italy.

Compounds possessing antimutagenic properties (polyphenols, tannins, vitamins,
etc.) have been identified in fruits, vegetables, spices, and medicinal plants.
Terminalia arjuna (Combretaceae), a tropical woody tree occurring throughout
India and known locally as Kumbuk, is a medicinal plant rich in tannins and
triterpenes that is used extensively in Ayurvedic medicine as a cardiac tonic.
The aim of the present collaborative work was to test six solvent extracts from
the bark of Terminalia arjuna for antigenotoxic activity using in vitro
short/​term tests. Terminalia arjuna extracts were obtained by sequential
extraction using acetone, methanol, methanol + HCl, chloroform, ethyl acetate,
and ethyl ether. The antigenotoxic properties of these extracts were
investigated by assessing the inhibition of genotoxicity of the directacting
mutagen 4/​nitroquinoline/​N/​oxide (4NQO) using the "comet" assay and the
micronucleus (MN) test. Human peripheral blood leukocytes were incubated with
different concentrations of the six extracts (from 5 to 100 microg/ mL) and with
4NQO (1 and 2 microg/mL, for the "comet" assay and MN test, respectively). Each
extract/4NQO combination was tested twice; in each experiment, positive control
(4NQO alone) and negative control (1% DMSO) were set. "Comet" assay results
showed that acetone and methanol extracts were highly effective in reducing the
DNA damage caused by 4NQO, whereas the acidic methanol, chloroform, ethyl
acetate, and ethyl ether extracts showed less marked or no antigenotoxic
activity. In the MN test, a decrease in 4NQO genotoxicity was observed by
testing this mutagen in the presence of acetone, methanol, chloroform, and ethyl
acetate extracts, even though the extent of inhibition was not always
statistically significant.

PMID: 15281223 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

22: Inflammopharmacology. 2004;12(2):131/​52.

Anti/​inflammatory properties of BHUx, a polyherbal formulation to prevent
atherosclerosis.

Tripathi YB, Reddy MM, Pandey RS, Subhashini J, Tiwari OP, Singh BK, Reddanna P.

Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi/​221005, India. Yamini30@sify.com

BHUx is a polyherbal formulation consisting of water/​soluble fractions of five
medicinal plants (Commiphora mukul, Terminalia arjuna, Boswellia serrata,
Semecarpus anacardium and Strychnos nux vomica). The present study was
undertaken to evaluate its antioxidant and antiinflammatory effects. BHUx,
standardized by HPLC fingerprinting and filtered through 0.2 microm filter
paper, was employed for different studies under in vivo and in vitro conditions.
Under in vivo conditions, BHUx significantly reduced inflammation in the
carrageenan/​induced rat paw oedema model of inflammation, suggesting its
anti/​inflammatory properties. In order to test the mechanism of action of BHUx,
further in vitro studies were undertaken on cumene/​hydroperoxide/​induced lipid
peroxidation (CHP) in liver homogenate, LPS/​induced NO production in peritoneal
macrophages and on key enzymes of arachidonic acid cascade, involved in the
mediation of inflammation. Under the conditions, BHUx showed
concentration/​dependent inhibition of CHP/​induced lipid peroxidation in liver
homogenate, suggesting its antioxidant properties. Similarly the potent
anti/​inflammatory effects of BHUx are evident by (a) preferential inhibition of
COX/​2 (IC50 for COX/​2 = 80 microg/ml and IC50 for COX/​1 = 169 microg/ml), (b)
low ratios in the IC50 values of COX/​2/COX/​1 (0.47), (c) decreased production of
NO in LPS/​induced peritoneal macrophages and (d) inhibition of 5/​LOX (IC50 = 795
microg/ml). BHUx also showed a preference for inhibiting 15/​lipoxygenase (IC50 =
44 microg/ml), a key enzyme implicated in LDL oxidation. These studies suggest
that BHUx is acting mainly at three levels, i.e., as a potent natural
antioxidant, by reduction of key inflammatory mediators of arachidonic acid
cascade and by preventing 15/​LOX/​mediated LDL oxidations, to prevent
atherosclerosis.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 15265316 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

23: Phytother Res. 2004 Feb;18(2):131/​4.

Arjunetin from Terminalia arjuna as an insect feeding/​deterrent and growth
inhibitor.

Singh DV, Gupta MM, Tripathi AK, Prajapati V, Kumar S.

Analytical Testing Laboratory, Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic
Plants, Lucknow, India.

Crude ethanolic extract of the stem bark of Terminalia arjuna (Combretaceae) and
its three compounds namely arjunic acid, arjungenin and arjunetin were evaluated
for antifeedant, growth inhibitory and oviposition/​deterrent activities against
a lepidopterous insect Spilarctia obliqua. The compound arjunetin showed highest
growth inhibitory and feeding/​deterrent properties with a growth inhibition
(GI(50)) and feeding/​inhibition (FD(50)) of 188.5 and 287.1 micro g/g diet
respectively. Oviposition bioassays indicated no oviposition/​deterrence in any
of the compounds tested. The structure/​activity relationship study indicated the
importance of a glycosidation linkage in arjunetin. Copyright 2004 John Wiley &
Sons, Ltd.

PMID: 15022165 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

24: Pharmazie. 2003 Dec;58(12):932/​4.

A novel naphthanol glycoside from Terminalia arjuna with antioxidant and nitric
oxide inhibitory activities.

Ali A, Kaur G, Hayat K, Ali M, Ather M.

Faculty of Pharmacy, Hamdard University, Hamdard Nagar, New Delhi, India.

A novel naphthanol glycoside, arjunaphthanoloside (1), was isolated from the
stem bark of Terminalia arjuna and its structure was established as
2,3,6,7,8,9/​hexahydroxynaphthalene/​2/​O/​alpha/​L(/​)/​rhamnoside by means of
spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compound 1 showed potent antioxidant
activity and inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide
(LPS)/​stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages.

Publication Types:
In Vitro
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 14703977 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

25: BMC Complement Altern Med. 2003 Oct 16;3:5.

Possible mechanisms of hypotension produced 70% alcoholic extract of Terminalia
arjuna (L.) in anaesthetized dogs.

Nammi S, Gudavalli R, Babu BS, Lodagala DS, Boini KM.

Pharmacology Division, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Andhra University,
Visakhapatnam/​530 003, Andhra Pradesh, INDIA. nammi@rediffmail.com

BACKGROUND: The bark of Terminalia arjuna L. (Combretaceae) is used in Ayurveda
since ancient times for the treatment of cardiac disorders. Previous laboratory
investigations have demonstrated the use of the bark in cardiovascular
complications. The present study was aimed to find the effect of 70% alcoholic
extract of Terminalia arjuna on anaesthetized dog blood pressure and probable
site of action. METHODS: Six dogs were anaesthetized with intraperitoneal
injection of thiopental sodium and the blood pressure of each dog (n = 6) was
measured from the left common carotid artery connected to a mercury manometer on
kymograph. The femoral vein was cannulated for administration of drug solutions.
The extract of T. arjuna (dissolved in propylene glycol) in the dose range of 5
to 15 mg/kg were administered intravenously in a pilot study and the dose (6
mg/kg) which produced appreciable hypotension was selected for further studies.
RESULTS: Intravenous administration of T. arjuna produced dose/​dependent
hypotension in anaesthetized dogs. The hypotension produced by 6 mg/kg dose of
the extract was blocked by propranolol but not by atropine or mepyramine
maleate. This indicates that muscarinic or histaminergic mechanisms are not
likely to be involved in the hypotension produced by the extract. The blockade
by propranolol of the hypotension produced by T. arjuna indicates that the
extract might contain active compound(s) possessing adrenergic beta2/​receptor
agonist action and/or that act directly on the heart muscle. CONCLUSION: The
results indicated the likely involvement of peripheral mechanism for hypotension
produced by the 70% alcoholic extract of Terminalia arjuna and lends support for
the claims of its traditional usage in cardiovascular disorders.

PMID: 14561229 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

26: Life Sci. 2003 Oct 10;73(21):2727/​39.

Cardioprotective effect of the alcoholic extract of Terminalia arjuna bark in an
in vivo model of myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury.

Karthikeyan K, Bai BR, Gauthaman K, Sathish KS, Devaraj SN.

Department of Biochemistry, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai 600025,
India.

The present study was designed to investigate the effects of chronic
administration of the alcoholic extract of Terminalia arjuna (TAAE) bark on
isoproterenol induced myocardial injury. The TAAE was administered orally to
Wistar albino rats (150/​200 g) in three different doses, by gastric gavage [3.4
mg/kg: (T1), 6.75 mg/kg: (T2) and 9.75 mg/kg: (T3)] 6 days/week for 4 weeks. At
the end of this period, all the animals, except the normal untreated rats that
served as the control group, were administered isoproterenol (ISO) 85 mg/kg,
S.C., for two consecutive days to induce in vivo myocardial injury. After 48
hours rats were anaesthetized with anaesthetic ether, then sacrificed and the
hearts were harvested for biochemical and histological studies. A significant
rise in myocardial thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) and loss of
reduced glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (suggestive
of increased oxidative stress) occurred in the hearts subjected to in vivo
myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury. The 6.75 mg/kg TAAE treatment group
(baseline) shows a significant increase in myocardial TBARS as well as
endogenous antioxidants (GSH, SOD, and catalase), but not in the other treatment
groups. In in vivo ischemic reperfusion injury of the TAAE treated rats there
was a significant decrease in TBARS in all the groups. In 6.75 mg/kg treatment
group, a significant rise in the levels of GSH, SOD and catalase were observed,
and it shows better recovery profile than the other groups subjected to in vivo
ischemic reperfusion injury. In histological studies, all the groups, except the
isoproterenol treated group, showed preserved myocardium. The present study
demonstrates that the 6.75 mg/kg TAAE augments endogenous antioxidant compounds
of the rat heart and also prevents the myocardium from isoproterenol induced
myocardial ischemic reperfusion injury.

PMID: 13679240 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

27: Phytomedicine. 2003;10(6/​7):474/​82.

Antiatherogenic effect of Caps HT2, a herbal Ayurvedic medicine formulation.

Mary NK, Babu BH, Padikkala J.

Amala Cancer Research Centre, Thrissur, Kerala, India.

The antiatherogenic effect of a herbal formulation, Caps HT2, was evaluated as
antioxidant, anticoagulant, platelet antiaggregatory, lipoprotein lipase
releasing, anti/​inflammatory and hypolipidaemic activity in rats. The
formulation contained the methanolic extracts of selected parts of plants,
Commiphora mukul, Allium sativum, Plumbago indica, Semecarpus anacardium,
Hemidesmus indicus, Terminalia arjuna, Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera
and Ocimum sanctum. The formulation, Caps HT2 was found to scavenge superoxide
and hydroxyl radicals; the IC50 required being 55.0 and 610.0 microg/ml
respectively. The lipid peroxidation was found inhibited (50%) by 48.5 microg/ml
of Caps HT2. The intravenous administration of the formulation (5 mg/kg) delayed
the plasma recalcification time in rabbits and enhanced the release of
lipoprotein lipase enzyme significantly (p < 0.001). The formulation also
inhibited ADP induced platelet aggregation in vitro, which was comparable to
commercial heparin. The anti/​inflammatory action of the formulation was
significant (p < 0.001) with acute and chronic inflammations induced by
carrageenan and formalin respectively in rats. The hypolipidaemic effect of Caps
HT2 was significant (p < 0.001) with the administration of the formulation, in
diet/​induced hyperlipidaemia of rats for a period of 30 days. Oral
administration of the formulation, Caps HT2 (100, 200, 300 and 400 mg/kg)
significantly raised HDL cholesterol levels. The atherogenic index and the
reduction in body weight were significant indicating the effectiveness against
hyperlipidaemia and obesity. All these results revealed the therapeutic
potential of Caps HT2 against vascular intimal damage and atherogenesis leading
to various types of cardiovascular problems.

PMID: 13678230 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

28: Fitoterapia. 2003 Sep;74(6):553/​8.

Comparative effect of oral administration and topical application of alcoholic
extract of Terminalia arjuna bark on incision and excision wounds in rats.

Rane MM, Mengi SA.

CU Shah College of Pharmacy, SNDT Women's University, Santacruz/​west, Mumbai,
Maharashtra 400 049, India.

The effects of 50% ethanolic extract of the bark Terminalia arjuna and tannins
isolated from the bark were studied for wound healing activity in incision and
excision wound models, after oral or topical application in form of a hydrogel.
The findings revealed a statistically significant increase in the tensile
strength of the incision wounds and increase in the percent reduction in wound
size of excision wounds as compared to control. However, the topical treatment
with tannins was found to be superior in both incision and excision wound
studies. The estimated increase in hydroxyproline content of the granulation
tissue of the excision wounds indicated rapid collagen turnover thus, leading to
rapid healing of the wounds.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study

PMID: 12946717 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

29: J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2003 Jun;5(2):137/​42.

Terminoside A, a new triterpene glycoside from the bark of Terminalia arjuna
inhibits nitric oxide production in murine macrophages.

Ali A, Kaur G, Hamid H, Abdullah T, Ali M, Niwa M, Alam MS.

Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Hamdard University, New Delhi 110
062, India.

Terminoside A (1), a new oleanane/​type triterpene was isolated from the acetone
fraction of the ethanolic extract of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna. The
structure was established as olean/​1alpha,3beta,22beta/​triol/​12/​en/​28/​oic
acid/​3beta/​D/​glucopyranoside. On the basis of spectral data and chemical
reactions, terminoside A, potently inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and
decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels in
lipopolysaccharide/​stimulated macrophages.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 12765198 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

30: Phytother Res. 2003 Mar;17(3):265/​8.

Evaluation of wound healing activity of some herbal formulations.

Mukherjee PK, Mukherjee K, Rajesh Kumar M, Pal M, Saha BP.

Department of Pharmaceutical Technology, Jadavpur University, Calcutta 700032,
India.

The wound healing activity of two herbal formulations (Himax ointment and
lotion) containing Indradaru extract, i.e. Arjuna bark (Terminalia arjuna,
Family/​Combretaceae), extract was evaluated for its wound healing potential in
two types of wound models in rats (i) excision wound model and (ii) incision
wound model. Both the formulations responded significantly in both the wound
models tested. The results were also comparable to that of the standard drug
nitrofurazone used as a standard drug for comparison in this present
investigation. The results were also comparable in terms of wound contracting
ability, epithelization period, tensile strength and regeneration of tissues at
the wound area. Thus, this investigation con fi rms the use of the Himax
ointment and lotion containing Terminalia arjuna extract as a wound/​healing
agent as known from folklore medicine. Copyright 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 12672158 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

31: Indian J Exp Biol. 2002 Aug;40(8):950/​3.

Micropropagation of Terminalia arjuna Roxb. from cotyledonary nodes.

Pandey S, Jaiswal VS.

Department of Botany, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi 221005, India.

Cotyledonary node explants excised from 21 day old seedlings of T. arjuna
produced multiple shoots when cultured on full strength MS or modified MS (1/2
strength major salts and Fe/​EDTA) medium supplemented with different
concentrations (0.1/​1.0 mg/l) of BAP. Maximum 8.9 shoots/explant could be
recorded after 30 days of inoculation on modified MS medium supplemented with
BAP (0.5 mg/l). A proliferating shoot culture was established by reculturing the
original cotyledonary nodes (2/​3 times) on shoot multiplication medium after
each harvest of the newly formed shoots. Shoots (each having 2/​3 nodes/shoot)
thus obtained were also used as a source of nodal explant that gave rise to 1/​2
shoots when cultured on modified MS+BAP (0.5 mg/l) medium. Thus, 45/​55 shoots
could be obtained after 60 days of culture initiation from a single cotyledonary
node. About 88% shoots rooted well after 15 hr pulse treatment with IBA (1 mg/l)
in liquid MS medium followed by transfer to modified MS medium without IBA.
About 80% of these plantlets were successfully acclimatized in plastic pots
containing sand and soil mixture and 70% plantlets transferred in the field
those survived even after 6 months of transplantation.

PMID: 12597029 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

32: Indian Heart J. 2002 Jul/​Aug;54(4):441; author reply 441.

Comment on:
Indian Heart J. 2002 Mar/​Apr;54(2):170/​5.

Efficacy of Terminalia arjuna in chronic stable angina.

Dwivedi S, Gupta D.

Publication Types:
Comment
Letter

PMID: 12462680 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

33: Food Chem Toxicol. 2002 Oct;40(10):1475/​82.

Antimutagenic activities of acetone and methanol fractions of Terminalia arjuna.

Kaur K, Arora S, Kumar S, Nagpal A.

Department of Botanical Land Environmental Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University,
Amritsar, India. kamal_rajjput@hotmail.com

The antimutagenic effect of benzene, chloroform, acetone and methanol fractions
from Terminalia arjuna, a well/​known medicinal plant, was determined against
Acid Black dye, 2/​aminofluorene (2AF) and 4/​nitro/​o/​phenylenediamine (NPD) in
TA98 Frameshift mutagen tester strain of Salmonella typhimurium. Among the
different fractions, the antimutagenic effect of acetone and methanol fractions
was more than that observed with other fractions. Co/​incubation and
pre/​incubation modes of experimentation did not show much difference in the
antimutagenic activity of the extracts. Moreover, these fractions inhibited the
S9/​dependent mutagens, 2AF and Acid Black dye more effectively than the
direct/​acting mutagens. Studies are under way to isolate and elucidate the
nature of the antimutagenic factor in acetone and methanol fractions.

PMID: 12387312 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

34: Antiviral Res. 2002 Sep;55(3):447/​55.

Antiherpes simplex virus type 2 activity of casuarinin from the bark of
Terminalia arjuna Linn.

Cheng HY, Lin CC, Lin TC.

Graduate Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, College of Pharmacy, Kaohsiung
Medical University, 100 Shih Chuan 1st Road, Taiwan, ROC.

Casuarinin, a hydrolyzable tannin isolated from the bark of Terminalia arjuna
Linn. (Combretaceae), was investigated for its antiviral activity on herpes
simplex type 2 (HSV/​2) in vitro. Results showed that the IC(50) of casuarinin in
XTT and plaque reduction assays were 3.6+//​0.9 and 1.5+//​0.2 microM,
respectively. The 50% cytotoxic concentration for cell growth (CC(50)) was
89+//​1 microM. Thus, the selectivity index (SI) (ratio of CC(50) to IC(50)) of
casuarinin was 25 and 59 for XTT and plaque reduction assays, respectively.
Casuarinin continued to exhibit antiviral activity even added 12 h after
infection. During the attachment assay, casuarinin was shown to prevent the
attachment of HSV/​2 to cells. Furthermore, casuarinin also exhibited an activity
in inhibiting the viral penetration. Interestingly, casuarinin was virucidal at
a concentration of 25 microM, reducing viral titers up to 100,000/​fold. This
study concludes that casuarinin possesses anti/​herpesvirus activity in
inhibiting viral attachment and penetration, and also disturbing the late
event(s) of infection.

PMID: 12206882 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

35: Phytochem Anal. 2002 Jul/​Aug;13(4):207/​10.

Quantitative determination of oleane derivatives in Terminalia arjuna by high
performance thin layer chromatography.

Singh DV, Verma RK, Gupta MM, Kumar S.

Central Institute of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow 226 015, India.

A simple, precise and rapid high performance thin layer chromatographic method
has been developed for the simultaneous quantitative determination of five
oleane derivatives, namely, arjunic acid, arjunolic acid, arjungenin, arjunetin
and arjunglucoside I from stem bark extract of Terminalia arjuna. The isolation
and separation of these compounds was carried out on 60F254 layers eluted with
chloroform:methanol (90:10), and the analytes were visualised through colour
development with vanillin in concentrated sulphuric acid:ethanol. Scanning and
quantification of the spots at 640 nm showed good recoveries in the range
96.40/​101.7%.

PMID: 12184173 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

36: Indian Heart J. 2002 Mar/​Apr;54(2):170/​5.

Comment in:
Indian Heart J. 2002 Jul/​Aug;54(4):441; author reply 441.

Efficacy of Terminalia arjuna in chronic stable angina: a double/​blind,
placebo/​controlled, crossover study comparing Terminalia arjuna with isosorbide
mononitrate.

Bharani A, Ganguli A, Mathur LK, Jamra Y, Raman PG.

Department of Medicine, MGM Medical College and MY Hospital, Indore, MP.
tanmaybharani@im.eth.net

BACKGROUND: Terminalia arjuna, an Indian medicinal plant, has been reported to
have beneficial effects in patients with ischemic heart disease in a number of
small, open studies. The need for a double/​blind, randomized, placebo/​controlled
study with adequate sample size has long been felt. The bark extract (IPC/​53)
contains acids (arjunic acid, terminic acid), glycosides (arjunetin arjunosides
I/​IV), strong antioxidants (flavones, tannins, oligomeric proanthocyanidins),
minerals. etc. and exhibits antifailure and anti/​ischemic properties. METHODS
AND RESULTS: Fifty/​eight males with chronic stable angina (NYHA class II/​III)
with evidence of provocable ischemia on treadmill exercise test received
Terminalia arjuna (500 mg 8 hourly), isosorbide mononitrate (40 mg/daily) or a
matching placebo for one week each, separated by a wash/​out period of at least
three days in a randomized, double/​blind, crossover design. They underwent
clinical, biochemical and treadmill exercise evaluation at the end of each
therapy which were compared during the three therapy periods. Terminalia arjuna
therapy was associated with significant decrease in the frequency of angina and
need for isosorbide dinitrate (5.69+//​6.91 mg/week v. 18.22+//​9.29 mg/week
during placebo therapy, p<0.005). The treadmill exercise test parameters
improved significantly during therapy with Terminalia arjuna compared to those
with placebo. The total duration of exercise increased (6.14+//​2.51 min v.
4.76+//​2.38 min, p<0.005), maximal ST depression during the longest equivalent
stages of submaximal exercise decreased (1.41+//​0.55 mm v. 2.21+//​0.56 mm,
p<0.005), time to recovery decreased (6.49+//​2.37 min v. 9.27+//​3.39 min,
p<0.005) and higher double products were achieved (25.75+//​4.81x10(3) v.
23.11+//​4.83x10(3), p<0.005) during Terminalia arjuna therapy. Similar
improvements in clinical and treadmill exercise test parameters were observed
with isosorbide mononitrate compared to placebo therapy. No significant
differences were observed in clinical or treadmill exercise test parameters when
Terminalia arjuna and isosorbide mononitrate therapies were compared. No
significant untoward effects were reported during Terminalia arjuna therapy.
CONCLUSIONS: Terminalia arjuna bark extract, 500 mg 8 hourly, given to patients
with stable angina with provocable ischemia on treadmill exercise, led to
improvement in clinical and treadmill exercise parameters as compared to placebo
therapy. These benefits were similar to those observed with isosorbide
mononitrate (40 mg/day) therapy and the extract was well tolerated. Limitations
of this study include applicability of the results to only men with chronic
stable angina but not necessarily to women, as they were not studied.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Comparative Study
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 12086380 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

37: Int J Oncol. 2002 Jul;21(1):187/​92.

Identification of pyrogallol as an antiproliferative compound present in
extracts from the medicinal plant Emblica officinalis: effects on in vitro cell
growth of human tumor cell lines.

Khan MT, Lampronti I, Martello D, Bianchi N, Jabbar S, Choudhuri MS, Datta BK,
Gambari R.

Pharmacology Research Laboratory, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University
Science and Technology Chittagong, Bangladesh.

In this study we compared the in vitro antiproliferative activity of extracts
from medicinal plants toward human tumor cell lines, including human
erythromyeloid K562, B/​lymphoid Raji, T/​lymphoid Jurkat, erythroleukemic HEL
cell lines. Extracts from Emblica officinalis were the most active in inhibiting
in vitro cell proliferation, after comparison to those from Terminalia arjuna,
Aphanamixis polystachya, Oroxylum indicum, Cuscuta reflexa, Aegle marmelos,
Saraca asoka, Rumex maritimus, Lagerstroemia speciosa, Red Sandalwood. Emblica
officinalis extracts have been studied previously, due to their
hepatoprotective, antioxidant, antifungal, antimicrobial and anti/​inflammatory
medicinal activities. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry analyses allowed to
identify pyrogallol as the common compound present both in unfractionated and
n/​butanol fraction of Emblica officinalis extracts. Antiproliferative effects of
pyrogallol were therefore determined on human tumor cell lines thus identifying
pyrogallol as an active component of Emblica officinalis extracts.

Publication Types:
In Vitro
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 12063567 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

38: J Pharm Biomed Anal. 2002 May 15;28(3/​4):447/​52.

RP/​LC determination of oleane derivatives in Terminalia arjuna.

Singh DV, Verma RK, Singh SC, Gupta MM.

Analytical Biophysical Chemistry Division, Central Institute of Medicinal and
Aromatic Plants, P.O./​CIMAP, Lucknow 226 015, India.

A rapid sensitive and reproductive reversed phase high performance liquid
chromatographic method with photo diode arrray detection is described for the
simultaneous quantification of major oleane derivatives: arjunic acid (4),
arjunolic acid (3), arjungenin (2) and arjunetin (1) in Terminalia arjuna
extract. The method involves the use of a Waters Spherisorb S10 ODS2 column (250
x 4.6 mm, I.D., 10 microm) and binary gradient mobile phase profile. The various
other aspects of analysis viz. Extraction efficiency, peak purity and similarity
were validated using a photo diode array detector.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 12008123 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

39: J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol. 2002;21(1):45/​56.

Modulatory effect of phenolic fractions of Terminalia arjuna on the mutagenicity
in Ames assay.

Kaur K, Arora S, Kumar S, Nagpal A.

Department of Botanical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India.
kamal_rajput@usa.net

We determined the antimutagenicity of phenolic fractions of Terminalia arjuna
(soluble and insoluble in chloroform) against two direct/​acting mutagens,
4/​nitro/​o/​phenylenediamine (NPD) and sodium azide, and against the S9/​dependent
mutagen 2/​aminofluorene (2AF), in TA98 and TA100 tester strains of Salmonella
typhimurium. We found that the phenolic fractions of T. arjuna inhibited
revertants induced by the S9/​dependent mutagen more remarkably than the
direct/​acting mutagens. Furthermore, the phenolic fractions showed maximum
inhibition of 98% and 101.55%, respectively, in the pre/​incubation mode of
treatment against the mutations induced by 2AF. Overall, the fractions inhibited
the revertants induced by S9/​dependent mutagens more effectively than those
induced by direct/​acting mutagens. The percentage of inhibition was higher in
the pre/​incubation than with direct acting mutagens. The fraction insoluble in
chloroform showed more inhibition than the soluble one, which corresponds to a
higher polyphenol content in the insoluble fraction than in the soluble extract.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11934012 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

40: J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol. 2002;21(1):33/​44.

In vitro protective effects of Terminalia arjuna bark extracts against the
4/​nitroquinoline/​N/​oxide genotoxicity.

Pasquini R, Scassellati/​Sforzolini G, Villarini M, Moretti M, Marcarelli M,
Fatigoni C, Kaur S, Kumar S, Grover IS.

Department of Hygiene, University of Perugia, Italy. pasquini@unipg.it

We determined the antimutagenic potential of chloroform, acetone, methanol,
methanol+HCl, diethyl ether, and ethyl acetate extracts of Terminalia arjuna
bark against the model mutagen 4/​nitroquinoline/​N/​oxide (4/​NQO) using the
Salmonella/microsome, comet, and micronucleus (MN) tests. Salmonella typhimurium
TA100 strain and human peripheral white blood cells were coincubated with
various concentrations (from 5 to 500 microg) of the six extracts and 4/​NQO
(from 0.05 to 2 microg). We found that the 4/​NQO mutagenicity was inhibited by
more than 70% in the Salmonella/microsome test at the highest nontoxic extract
dose of ethyl acetate (50 microg/plate), chloroform (100 microg/plate), acetone,
(100 microg/plate), and methanol (500 microg/plate). A less marked
antimutagenicity activity (inhibition of about 40/​45%) was observed for the
acidic methanol and diethyl ether extracts. The comet assay showed that acetone
extract (100 microg/mL) was more effective in reducing the DNA damage caused by
4/​NQO (ca. 90%), whereas the chloroform, ethyl acetate, and diethyl ether
extracts were cytotoxic. In the MN test, the decrease in 4/​NQO clastogenicity
was observed by testing the mutagen especially with chloroform and ethyl acetate
extracts (inhibition about 40/​45%). The acetone and methanol extracts showed a
less marked activity (33% and 37%, respectively). The results of the present
study suggest that T. arjuna bark contains some nonpolar as well as polar
compounds with antimutagenic activity against 4/​NQO. Several explanations can be
suggested, but further investigations are necessary to definitely identify the
active compounds.

PMID: 11934011 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

41: Mol Cell Biochem. 2001 Aug;224(1/​2):135/​42.

Experimental myocardial necrosis in rats: role of arjunolic acid on platelet
aggregation, coagulation and antioxidant status.

Sumitra M, Manikandan P, Kumar DA, Arutselvan N, Balakrishna K, Manohar BM,
Puvanakrishnan R.

Department of Biotechnology, Central Leather Research Institute, Adyar, Chennai,
India.

Arjunolic acid, a new triterpene and a potent principle from the bark of
Terminalia arjuna, has been shown to provide significant cardiac protection in
isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis in rats. To further explore the
mechanism of action of arjunolic acid, antiplatelet activity, anticoagulant
assays, electrocardiographic changes, serum marker enzymes, antioxidant status,
lipid peroxide and myeloperoxidase (MPO) have been measured and the results are
compared with a potent cardioprotective drug, acetyl salicylic acid (ASA).
Administration of isoproterenol produces electrocardiographic changes such as
decreased R amplitude and increased ST segment elevation and has resulted in an
increase in serum marker enzyme levels as well as a decrease in enzymatic and
nonenzymatic antioxidant levels. Arjunolic acid at an effective dosage of 15
mg/kg body wt. (pre and post treatment), when administered intraperitoneally
(i.p.), effects a decrease in serum enzyme levels and the electrocardiographic
changes get restored towards normalcy. Arjunolic acid treatment is also shown to
prevent the decrease in the levels of superoxide dismutase, catalase,
glutathione peroxidase, ceruloplasmin, alpha/​tocopherol, reduced glutathione
(GSH), ascorbic acid, lipid peroxide, MPO and the cardioprotection is confirmed
by the histopathological studies. This study shows that the cardioprotection of
arjunolic acid pre and post treatment could possibly be due to the protective
effect against the damage caused by myocardial necrosis.

PMID: 11693190 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

42: Phytother Res. 2001 Sep;15(6):519/​23.

Antiradical and antilipoperoxidative effects of some plant extracts used by Sri
Lankan traditional medical practitioners for cardioprotection.

J Munasinghe TC, Seneviratne CK, Thabrew MI, Abeysekera AM.

Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medical Sciences, University of Sri
Jayawardenepura, Nugegoda, Sri Lanka.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are implicated in many pathogenic processes
including the cardiovascular system. Detoxification of ROS by antioxidants (AO)
therefore affords protection against such diseases. There is a growing body of
evidence suggesting that antioxidants contribute to cardioprotection. Therefore,
nine plants that are components of Ayurvedic formulations used for the therapy
of cardiovascular diseases were investigated to determine whether antioxidant
activity is one of the mechanisms by which these plants exert cardioprotection.
Initially aqueous freeze dried extracts of the plants were prepared and the
antioxidant activity was measured (a) in vitro, by DPPH
(1,1/​diphenyl/​2/​picrylhydrazyl) radical scavenging and deoxyribose damage
protection assays, and (b) in vivo, by effects on lipid peroxidation. Terminalia
arjuna showed significant DPPH radical scavenging activity with EC(50) 8.3 +//​
0.3 microg/mL (similar to L/​ascorbic acid). The potency of this activity was
much lower in Cassia fistula (EC(50) = 59.0 +//​ 2.7 microg/mL). The other seven
extracts demonstrated no such activity in the concentration range tested. In the
deoxyribose damage protection assay, T. arjuna> demonstrated no significant
effect in the concentration range 0/​20 microg/mL, but above /​20 microg/mL
concentration (20/​125 microg/mL), a pro/​oxidant activity was observed (although
markedly less than demonstrated by L/​ascorbic acid). A similar trend was
observed with Vitex negundo. In contrast, C. fistula afforded a 30% protection
against such damage at 125 microg/mL concentration. Other plant extracts did not
show any activity in this assay. At a dose of 90 mg/kg (single dose) T. arjuna,
cardiac lipid peroxidation in male Wistar rats was reduced by 38.8% +//​ 2.6%
(p<0.05) whereas the reduction was only 11.6% +//​ 3.5% in the case of C. fistula
even at a dose of 120 mg/kg. Of all the plants tested, T. arjuna demonstrated
the highest antioxidant activity. Overall results show that only some plants
used in the therapy of cardiovascular disease exert their beneficial effects via
antioxidant activity. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Publication Types:
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, Non/​P.H.S.

PMID: 11536382 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

43: J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2001;3(3):207/​12.

Triterpene glycoside from Terminalia arjuna.

Upadhyay RK, Pandey MB, Jha RN, Singh VP, Pandey VB.

Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi, India.

A new triterpene glycoside, arjunetoside, together with oleanolic and arjunic
acids has been isolated from the root bark of Terminalia arjuna. The structure
of arjunetoside has been established as 3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​2alpha,3beta,
19alpha/​trihydroxyolean/​12/​en/​28/​oic acid, 28/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranoside by
chemical and spectral data.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11491396 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

44: Fitoterapia. 2001 May;72(4):459/​61.

A new cardenolide from the roots of Terminalia arjuna.

Yadav RN, Rathore K.

Natural Products Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Dr H.S. Gour University,
470 003 (M.P.), Sagar, India. computerplaza@vsnl.com

A new cardenolide, 16,17/​dihydroneridienone
3/​O/​beta/​D/​glucopyranosyl/​(1/​/​>6)/​O/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside (1), was isolated
from the roots of Terminalia arjuna.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11395280 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

45: J Ethnopharmacol. 2001 May;75(2/​3):197/​201.

Effect of chronic treatment with bark of Terminalia arjuna: a study on the
isolated ischemic/​reperfused rat heart.

Gauthaman K, Maulik M, Kumari R, Manchanda SC, Dinda AK, Maulik SK.

Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, 110 029,
New Delhi, India.

Dried pulverized bark of Terminalia arjuna Linn (TA) was administered orally to
Wistar albino rats (120/​150 g) in two doses [500 and 750 mg/kg in 2% carboxy
methyl cellulose (CMC)], 6 days per week for 12 weeks. Thereafter, rats were
sacrificed either for determination of baseline changes in cardiac endogenous
antioxidant compounds [superoxide dismutase (SOD), reduced glutathione (GSH) and
catalase (CAT)] or the hearts were subjected to oxidative stress associated with
in vitro ischemic/​reperfusion injury (IRI). There was significant increase in
the baseline contents of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) (a
measure of lipid peroxidation) with both doses of TA. However, only in the 500
mg/kg treated group, this was accompanied by a simultaneous increase in SOD, GSH
and CAT levels, but not in the 750 mg/kg treated group, where only CAT was
raised. Significant rise in myocardial TBARS and loss of SOD, CAT and GSH
(suggestive of increased oxidative stress) occurred in the vehicle/​treated
hearts subjected to in vitro IRI. Only hearts, harvested from the 500 mg/kg rats
treated rats, were significantly protected from oxidative stress, when subjected
to in vitro IRI. The results suggest that crude bark of TA augments endogenous
antioxidant compounds of rat heart and also prevents oxidative stress associated
with IRI of the heart.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11297851 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

46: J Asian Nat Prod Res. 2000;2(2):97/​101.

A new cardenolide from the seeds of Terminalia arjuna (W&A).

Yadava RN, Rathore K.

Department of Chemistry, Dr. H.S. Gour University, Sagar, India.
LalitpatelSagar@hotmail.com

A new cardenolide 14,16 dianhydrogitoxigenin/​3/​beta/​D/​xylopyranosyl (1 /​/​>2)/​
O/​beta/​D/​galactopyranoside was isolated from the ethylacetate soluble fraction
of the alcoholic extract of the seeds of Terminalia arjuna by various colour
reactions, chemical degradations and spectral analysis.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11252684 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

47: J Assoc Physicians India. 2001 Feb;49:231/​5.

Antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of Terminalia arjuna tree/​bark
powder: a randomised placebo/​controlled trial.

Gupta R, Singhal S, Goyle A, Sharma VN.

Department of Medicine, Monilek Hospital and Research Centre, Jaipur.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of
Terminalia arjuna tree bark (a popular cardiotonic substance in Indian
pharmacopoeia) and to compare it with a known antioxidant, vitamin E, we
performed a randomized controlled trial. METHODS: One hundred and five
successive patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) presenting to our centre
were recruited and using a Latin/​square design divided into 3 groups of 35 each.
The groups were matched for age, lifestyle and dietary variables, clinical
diagnosis and drug treatment status. None of the patients was on lipid/​lowering
drugs. Supplemental vitamins were stopped for one month before study began and
American Heart Association Step II dietary advice was given to all. At baseline,
total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL and LDL cholesterol and lipid peroxide
estimated as thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) were determined.
Group I received placebo capsules; Group II vitamin E capsules 400 units/day;
and Group III received finely pulverized T. arjuna tree bark/​powder (500 mg) in
capsules daily. Lipids and lipid peroxide levels were determined at 30 days
follow/​up. RESULTS: Response rate in various groups varied from 86% to 91%. No
significant changes in total, HDL, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides levels were
seen in Groups I and II (paired t/​test p > 0.05). In Group III there was a
significant decrease in total cholesterol (/​9.7 +//​ 12.7%), and LDL cholesterol
(/​15.8 +//​ 25.6%) (paired t/​test p < 0.01). Lipid peroxide levels decreased
significantly in both the treatment groups (p < 0.01). This decrease was more in
vitamin E group (/​36.4 +//​ 17.7%) as compared to the T. arjuna group (/​29.3 +//​
18.9%). CONCLUSIONS: Terminalia arjuna tree bark powder has significant
antioxidant action that is comparable to vitamin E. In addition, it also has a
significant hypocholesterolaemic effect.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Comparative Study
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 11225136 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

48: J Environ Pathol Toxicol Oncol. 2001;20(1):9/​14.

Antimutagenic potential of extracts isolated from Terminalia arjuna.

Kaur S, Grover IS, Kumar S.

Department of Botanical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India.

Terminalia arjuna is an important medicinal plants widely used in the
preparation of Ayurvedic formulations used against several ailments. The present
investigation was aimed at the fractionation of crude extracts from the bark of
T. arjuna in order to isolate and purify the antimutagenic factors present. The
antimutagenicity assay was performed to check the modulatory effect of these
fractions against NPD, sodium azide, and 2AF, using the Ames Salmonella his+
reversion assay. Most of the phenolic fractions exhibited mutagen specificity
against direct/​acting mutagens, being effective in suppressing the frameshift
mutagen NPD but failing to inhibit sodium azide (base pair substitution)/​induced
his+ revertants. ET/​1 fraction triterpenoid diglycoside showed a marked effect
against sodium azide but was ineffective against NPD. In the case of the
indirect/​acting mutagen 2AF, all the fractions were found to be quite potent in
modulating its mutagenicity in both TA98 and TA100 tester strains of Salmonella
typhimurium. The results indicate that the bark of T. arjuna harbors
constituents with promising antimutagenic/anticarcinogenic potential that should
be investigated further.

PMID: 11215710 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

49: In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Anim. 2000 Sep;36(8):544/​7.

Growth suppression of human transformed cells by treatment with bark extracts
from a medicinal plant, Terminalia arjuna.

Nagpal A, Meena LS, Kaur S, Grover IS, Wadhwa R, Kaul SC.

National Institute of Bioscience and Human Technology, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan.

We have investigated the effects of acetone and methanol extracts of a medicinal
plant, Terminalia arjuna, on the growth of human normal fibroblasts (WI/​38),
osteosarcoma (U2OS), and glioblastoma (U251) cells in vitro. We found that both
extracts at 30 microg and 60 microg/ml concentrations inhibit the growth of
transformed cells; the growth of normal cells was least affected. Although the
transformed cells appeared to have fragmented nucleus by Hoechst staining, no
deoxy/​ribonucleic acid laddering effect was observed. In response to the extract
treatment, the tumor suppressor protein, p53, was induced in U2OS but not in
U251 and WI/​38 cells. A cyclin/​dependent kinase inhibitor, p21WAF1, was induced
in transformed cells only. The study suggests that the bark extract of medicinal
plant, T. arjuna, has components that can induce growth arrest of transformed
cells by p53/​dependent and /​independent pathways.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 11149755 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

50: Food Chem Toxicol. 2000 Dec;38(12):1113/​9.

Modulatory effects of a tannin fraction isolated from Terminalia arjuna on the
genotoxicity of mutagens in Salmonella typhimurium.

Kaur SJ, Grover IS, Kumar S.

Department of Botanical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, 143 005, Amritsar,
India. sjkaur@rediffmail.com

A fraction isolated from Terminalia arjuna was studied for its antimutagenic
effect against 4/​nitro/​o/​phenylenediamine (NPD) in TA98, sodium azide in TA100
and 2/​aminofluorene (2AF, S9/​dependent), a promutagen, in both TA98 and TA 100
tester strains of Salmonella typhimurium using the Ames assay. The fraction
inhibited the mutagenicity of 2AF very significantly in both strains while the
revertant colonies induced by NPD and sodium azide were reduced moderately.
1H/​NMR, 13C/​NMR, IR and UV/​spectroscopic data of the fraction revealed it to be
tannin in nature.

PMID: 11033200 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

51: J Assoc Physicians India. 1999 Jul;47(7):685/​9.

Safety and efficacy of Hartone in stable angina pectoris/​/​an open comparative
trial.

Kumar PU, Adhikari P, Pereira P, Bhat P.

Kasturba Medical College, Mangalore.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 'Hartone'/​/​a proprietary
herbal product primarily containing Terminalia arjuna in stable angina pectoris
patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Ten patients with stable angina pectoris were
given Hartone 2 caps twice daily for 6 weeks and 1 cap twice daily for the next
6 weeks. Haematological and biochemical investigations to assess safety were
carried out on day 0, day 42 and day 84. Serum lipid profile was done before and
after therapy. Efficacy was assessed by considering the reduction in the number
of anginal episodes and improvement in stress test. The results were compared
with 10 patients of stable angina pectoris on isosorbide mononitrate (ISMN) 20
mg twice daily. RESULTS: Hartone afforded symptomatic relief in 80% of patients
and ISMN in 70%. The number of anginal attacks were reduced from 79/wk to 24/wk
by Hartone and from 26/wk to 7/wk by ISMN. Although patients of both groups
showed improvement in several stress test parameters compared to base line, the
difference was not statistically significant. Hartone improved BP response to
stress test in two patients and ejection fraction in one. Hartone was better
tolerated than ISMN and showed no evidence of hepatic or renal impairment. Its
effects on lipid profile was not consistent. CONCLUSION: Hartone is a safe and
effective anti/​anginal agent comparable to ISMN and is better tolerated. Large
scale, randomised, double blind trials are needed to prove its efficacy.

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 10778587 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

52: Altern Med Rev. 1999 Dec;4(6):436/​7.

Terminalia arjuna.

[No authors listed]

Terminalia arjuna is a deciduous tree found throughout India growing to a height
of 60/​90 feet. The thick, white/​to/​pinkish/​gray bark has been used in India's
native Ayurvedic medicine for over three centuries, primarily as a cardiac
tonic. Clinical evaluation of this botanical medicine indicates it can be of
benefit in the treatment of coronary artery disease, heart failure, and possibly
hypercholesterolemia. It has also been found to be antibacterial and
antimutagenic. Terminalia's active constituents include tannins, triterpenoid
saponins (arjunic acid, arjunolic acid, arjungenin, arjunglycosides), flavonoids
(arjunone, arjunolone, luteolin), gallic acid, ellagic acid, oligomeric
proanthocyanidins (OPCs), phytosterols, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and copper.

PMID: 10608917 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

53: Int J Cardiol. 1998 Dec 1;67(2):119/​24.

Hypolipidemic activity of three indigenous drugs in experimentally induced
atherosclerosis.

Shaila HP, Udupa SL, Udupa AL.

Dept. of Biochemistry, Kasturba Medical College, Manipal, India.

The effect of orally administered indigenous drugs Terminalia arjuna, T.
belerica and T. chebula were investigated on experimental atherosclerosis.
Rabbits were fed a cholesterol/​rich diet to induce atherosclerosis. The three
drugs were fed along with cholesterol. At the end of the experimental period the
animals were killed and their plasma and tissue lipid components estimated.
Atherosclerotic lesions of the aorta were examined histologically. T. arjuna was
found to be the most potent hypolipidemic agent and induced partial inhibition
of rabbit atheroma. The results indicate that T. arjuna may play an
anti/​atherogenic role.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 9891944 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

54: Altern Med Rev. 1998 Dec;3(6):422/​31.

Botanical influences on cardiovascular disease.

Miller AL.

Alternative Medicine Review. P.O. Box 25, Dover, ID 83825, USA. alan@thorne.com

Several botanicals, including Crataegus oxycantha, Terminalia arjuna, Inula
racemosa, and Astragalus membranaceus, have been found to have therapeutic
benefit for the treatment of cardiovascular disease. Crataegus oxycantha has
been used traditionally as a cardiac tonic and current uses include treatment
for angina, hypertension, arrhythmias, and congestive heart failure. Animal
studies have also indicated that Crataegus extracts may also have potential use
as anti/​ischemic and lipid/​lowering agents. The bark of the Terminalia arjuna
tree has a long history of use as a cardiac tonic as well, and has been
indicated in the treatment of coronary artery disease, heart failure,
hypercholesterolemia and for relief of anginal pain. Additionally, it has been
found to have antibacterial and antimutagenic properties. Inula racemosa, also
known as Pushkarmoola, is another traditional Ayurvedic botanical that has
potential cardioprotective benefit. In human trials, a combination of Inula
racemosa and Commiphora mukul was shown to be superior to nitroglycerin in
reducing the chest pain and dyspnea associated with angina. Astragalus
membranaceus, a Chinese herb, is often used as a "Qi tonifier" and has been
studied for its therapeutic benefit in treatment of ischemic heart disease,
myocardial infarction, heart failure, and relief of anginal pain. Clinical
studies have indicated that its in vitro antioxidant activity is the mechanism
by which it affords its cardioprotective benefit.

Publication Types:
Review

PMID: 9855567 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

55: J Ethnopharmacol. 1998 Sep;62(2):173/​82.

Screening of 34 Indian medicinal plants for antibacterial properties.

Perumal Samy R, Ignacimuthu S, Sen A.

Entomology Research Institute, Loyola College, Chennai, India.

A total of 34 plant species belonging to 18 different families, selected on the
basis of folklore medicinal reports practised by the tribal people of Western
Ghats, India, were assayed for antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli,
Klebsiella aerogenes, Proteus vulgaris, and Pseudomonas aerogenes (gram/​negative
bacteria) at 1000/​5000 ppm using the disc diffusion method. Of these 16 plants
showed activity; among them Cassia fistula, Terminalia arjuna and Vitex negundo
showed significant antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria. Our
findings confirm the traditional therapeutic claims for these herbs.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 9741889 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

56: Phytochemistry. 1998 Apr;47(8):1567/​8.

A tannin anti/​cancer promotor from Terminalia arjuna.

Kandil FE, Nassar MI.

Proteins and Tanning Materials Department, National Research Centre, Dokki,
Cairo, Egypt.

A new ellagitannin named; arjunin, four known tannins and two phenolic acids
were isolated from Terminalia arjuna. The structures were elucidated by
spectroscopic analyses.

PMID: 9612958 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

57: Indian J Physiol Pharmacol. 1998 Jan;42(1):101/​6.

Role of Lipistat in protection against isoproterenol induced myocardial necrosis
in rats: a biochemical and histopathological study.

Seth SD, Maulik M, Katiyar CK, Maulik SK.

Department of Pharmacology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi.

A test drug (Lipistat) comprising of equal/​proportions of extracts of Terminalia
arjuna, Inula racemosa Hook, latex of Commiphora mukul, in three different doses
(225 mg/kg; 350 mg/kg; 450 mg/kg) were administered orally daily for 6 days a
week for 60 days in rats. Thereafter, the rats were subjected to isoproterenol
(ISO) induced (85 mg/kg, s.c. for 2 days) myocardial necrosis. Gross and
microscopic examinations (histopathology) were done along with estimations of
myocardial tissue high energy phosphates (HEP) stores and lactate content. Gross
examination showed significant (P < 0.05) cardioprotection in Lipistat treated
animals. On microscopic examination no statistically significant reduction in
myocardial damage by 350 and 450 mg/kg of Lipistat were observed although loss
of myocardial HEP stores and accumulation of lactate were significantly
prevented. The results of the present study suggest the potential usefulness of
Lipistat in the prevention of ischemic heart disease.

PMID: 9513800 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

58: Indian Heart J. 1997 Sep/​Oct;49(5):507/​10.

Beneficial effects of Terminalia arjuna in coronary artery disease.

Dwivedi S, Jauhari R.

Department of Medicine, University College of Medical Sciences, Delhi.

Effect of Terminalia arjuna on angina pectoris, congestive heart failure and
left ventricular mass was studied in patients of myocardial infarction with
angina and/or ischaemic cardiomyopathy. Bark stem powder of T. arjuna, 500 mg 8
hourly was administered to 10 patients of postmyocardial infarction angina and
two patients of ischaemic cardiomyopathy, in a dose of 500 mg 8 hourly
postoperatively, for a period of three months (Group A). These patients were
also on conventional treatment comprising of nitrates, aspirin and/or calcium
channel blockers. Twelve age/​, sex/​, body mass index/​ and ECG/​matched patients
of postmyocardial infarction angina receiving only conventional treatment served
as controls (Group B). Significant reduction in anginal frequency was noted in
both groups (3.5 +//​ 1.98 to 1.08 + 1.08 per day vs 3.10 + 0.72 to 1.17 + 0.84
per day). However, only Group A patients showed significant improvement in left
ventricular ejection fraction (42.25 + 9.96 to 52.67 + 12.32% vs 51.83 + 5.99 to
49.83 + 2.52%) and reduction in left ventricular mass (159.18 + 51.11 to 127.47
+ 52.40 gm/m2 vs 159.11 + 38.92 to 160.78 + 54.23 gm/m2) on echocardiography
following three months of therapy. Both patients with ischaemic cardiomyopathy
showed significant symptomatic relief in coronary heart failure from NYHA class
III to NYHA class I. Prolonged administration of T. arjuna did not show any
adverse effects on renal, hepatic and haematological parameters. The potential
of T. arjuna to improve left ventricular ejection fraction and reduce left
ventricular mass in coronary artery disease needs to be harnessed.

Publication Types:
Comparative Study

PMID: 9505018 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

59: Indian J Exp Biol. 1997 May;35(5):478/​82.

Antimutagenic potential of ellagic acid isolated from Terminalia arjuna.

Kaur S, Grover IS, Kumar S.

Department of Botanical Sciences, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, India.

Antimutagenic potential of a fraction isolated from Terminalia arjuna has been
evaluated in TA98 and TA100 strains of Salmonella typhimurium against direct and
indirect/​acting mutagens. The fraction was quite effective against S9/​dependent
2AF while it showed moderate effect against NPD. The fraction was analyzed to be
ellagic acid.

PMID: 9378517 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

60: Int J Food Sci Nutr. 1997 May;48(3):215/​9.

Biochemical contents, their variation and changes in free amino acids during
seed germination in Terminalia arjuna.

Srivastava N, Prakash D, Behl HM.

National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India.

The leaves, twigs, stem and bark of T. arjuna were analysed for their protein,
phenol, tannin, nitrate, oxalate in addition to vitamin C, anthocyanin and
chlorophyll in the leaves. The variation of some of these parameters in the
leaves with season and leaf position was also studied. The time course changes
in amino acids and protein during seed germination in T. arjuna, showed initial
decrease in protein followed by increase at subsequent stages. The seeds contain
high level of serine (21.7%) and glutamic acid (22.6%) the later decreased as
the germination progressed. After 30 days seeds showed higher amounts of serine
(26.0%), valine (2.8%), proline (10.6%), methionine (3.4%), histidine (5.6%) and
lysine (7.4%) while threonine, glutamic acid, tyrosine and arginine were in
lower amounts than that of initial stage at 0 day.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 9205597 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

61: J Ethnopharmacol. 1997 Feb;55(3):165/​9.

Hypocholesterolaemic effects of Terminalia arjuna tree bark.

Ram A, Lauria P, Gupta R, Kumar P, Sharma VN.

Department of Pharmacology, S.M.S. Medical College, Jaipur, India.

Diet/​induced hyperlipidaemic rabbits were given 50% ethanolic extract of
Terminalia arjuna tree bark in doses of 100 mg/kg (Group B, n = 6) and 500 mg/kg
(Group C, n = 6) and compared with controls (Group A). At 60 days of
intervention in Groups A, B and C mean +//​ S.E.M. total cholesterol was 574 +//​
61, 320 +//​ 29 and 217 +//​ 44 mg/dl, respectively (P < 0.01); LDL cholesterol
was 493 +//​ 57, 271 +//​ 30 and 162 +//​ 44 mg/dl (P < 0.01); HDL cholesterol was
59 +//​ 7, 36 +//​ 3 and 35 +//​ 4 mg/dl (P = n.s.); triglyceride was 108 +//​ 13,
67 +//​ 6 and 101 +//​ 26 mg/dl (P = n.s.); cholesterol/HDL ratio was 10.1 +//​
1.3, 9.2 +//​ 1.1 and 6.1 +//​ 1.0 (P = n.s.); and LDL/HDL ratio was 8.7 +//​ 1.3,
7.8 +//​ 1.1 and 4.5 +//​ 1.0 (P < 0.01). The extract did not adversely affect
biochemical tests of liver and renal function and haematological parameters.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't

PMID: 9080336 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

62: J Ethnopharmacol. 1996 Aug;53(2):57/​63.

Antineoplastic agents 338. The cancer cell growth inhibitory. Constituents of
Terminalia arjuna (Combretaceae).

Pettit GR, Hoard MS, Doubek DL, Schmidt JM, Pettit RK, Tackett LP, Chapuis JC.

Cancer Research Institute, Arizona State University, Tempe 85287/​1604, USA.

By means of bioassay/​guided separation methods, the cancer cell growth
inhibitory constituents residing in the bark, stem and leaves of the Mauritius
medicinal plant Terminalia arjuna (Combretaceae) were examined. The cancer cell
line active components were found to be gallic acid, ethyl gallate, and the
flavone luteolin. Only gallic acid was previously known to occur in this plant.
Luteolin has a well established record of inhibiting various cancer cell lines
and may account for most of the rationale underlying the use of T. arjuna in
traditional cancer treatments. Luteolin was also found to exhibit specific
activity against the pathogenic bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Publication Types:
Research Support, Non/​U.S. Gov't
Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

PMID: 8844460 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

63: Planta Med. 1995 Dec;61(6):576/​7.

A New Triterpene Glycoside from Terminalia arjuna.

Singh B, Singh VP, Pandey VB, Rucker G.

Department of Medicinal Chemistry, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi/​221 005, India.

A new triterpene diglucoside terminolitin (23/​deoxyarjunolitin) has been
isolated from the fruits of TERMINALIA ARJUNA (Combretaceae) and was identified
by IR, (1)H/​ and (13)C/​NMR spectroscopy.

PMID: 17238114 [PubMed /​ in process]

64: Int J Cardiol. 1995 May;49(3):191/​9.

Salutary effect of Terminalia Arjuna in patients with severe refractory heart
failure.

Bharani A, Ganguly A, Bhargava KD.

Department of Medicine, M.G.M. Medical College, Indore, India.

Twelve patients with refractory chronic congestive heart failure (Class IV
NYHA), related to idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy (10 patients); previous
myocardial infarction (one patient) and peripartum cardiomyopathy (one patient),
received Terminalia Arjuna, an Indian medicinal plant, as bark extract (500 mg
8/​hourly) or matching placebo for 2 weeks each, separated by 2 weeks washout
period, in a double blind cross over design as an adjuvent to maximally
tolerable conventional therapy (Phase I). The clinical, laboratory and
echocardiographic evaluation was carried out at baseline and at the end of
Terminalia Arjuna and placebo therapy and results were compared. Terminalia
Arjuna, compared to placebo, was associated with improvement in symptoms and
signs of heart failure, improvement in NYHA Class (Class III vs. Class IV),
decrease in echo/​left ventricular enddiastolic (125.28 +//​ 27.91 vs. 134.56 +//​
29.71 ml/m2; P < 0.005) and endsystolic volume (81.06 +//​ 24.60 vs. 94.10 +//​
26.42 ml/m2; P < 0.005) indices, increase in left ventricular stroke volume
index (44.21 +//​ 11.92 vs. 40.45 +//​ 11.56 ml/m2; P < 0.05) and increase in left
ventricular ejection fractions (35.33 +//​ 7.85 vs. 30.24 +//​ 7.13%; P < 0.005).
On long term evaluation in an open design (Phase II), wherein Phase I
participants continued Terminalia Arjuna in fixed dosage (500 mg 8/​hourly) in
addition to flexible diuretic, vasodilator and digitalis dosage for 20/​28 months
(mean 24 months) on outpatient basis, patients showed continued improvement in
symptoms, signs, effort tolerance and NYHA Class, with improvement in quality of
life.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Publication Types:
Clinical Trial
Randomized Controlled Trial

PMID: 7649665 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

65: J Assoc Physicians India. 1994 Sep;42(9):757.

Comment on:
J Assoc Physicians India. 1994 Apr;42(4):287/​9.

Antianginal and cardiopretective effects of terminalia arjuna.

Anand V.

Publication Types:
Comment
Letter

PMID: 7883693 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

66: J Assoc Physicians India. 1994 Sep;42(9):756.

Comment on:
J Assoc Physicians India. 1994 Apr;42(4):287/​9.

Antianginal and cardiopretective effects of terminalia arjuna.

Chopra B.

Publication Types:
Case Reports
Comment
Letter

PMID: 7883690 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

67: J Assoc Physicians India. 1994 Apr;42(4):281/​2.

Comment on:
J Assoc Physicians India. 1994 Apr;42(4):287/​9.

Terminalia arjuna in cardiovascular therapy.

Vaidya AB.

Publication Types:
Comment
Editorial

PMID: 7860542 [PubMed /​ indexed for MEDLINE]

68: J Assoc Physicians India. 1994 Apr;42(4):287/​9.

Comment in:
J Assoc Physicians India. 1994 Apr;42(4):281/​2.
J Assoc Physicians India. 1994 Sep;42(9):756.
J Assoc Physicians India. 1994 Sep;42(9):757.

Antianginal and cardioprotective effects of Terminalia arjuna, an indigenous
drug, in coronary artery disease.

Dwivedi S, Agarwal MP.

Department of Medicine, UCMS, Delhi.

The effect of bark powder