An Overview Lia Arjuna and I
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Review Article International Ayurvedic Medical Journal ISSN:2320 5091 A NOTABLE REVIEW ON TERMINALIA ARJUNA AND ITS IMPERATIVE AY- URVEDIC FORMULATIONS: AN OVERVIEW Aghera Hetal1, Bundela Vivek2, Shukla V. J1, Prajapati P.K1, Nariya M.B1 1Institute of Post Graduate Teaching & Research in Ayurveda, Gujarat Ayurved University, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India 2Ayuvardhanam Pharmaceuticals, Chhatarpur, Madhya Pradesh, India ABSTRACT The knowledge of Ayurveda is probably one of India’s greatest offerings to human empire. It is eternal in the profound sense that it remains pertinent for all times. There are plentiful articles found regarding Ayurvedic single drugs and formulations, however, most of them are with the de- ficiency of permutation of modern aspect and Ayurveda aspect. Hence, the review of Terminalia Arjuna (Roxb.) Wt. & Arn and its valuable formulation has been made with classical facts with logical portrayal, including evidences from Vedas, Samhitas, Medicinal books, Tribal colonies and different search engines on podium. This review article reflects history, properties, chemical con- stituents, pharmacological actions, toxicity, and different uses of plant Terminalia Arjuna (Roxb.) Wt. & Arn. and reasonable role of various formulations and media incorporate with the same plant. In sum up, this sort of review would serve as the most important step to engender new approach of Ayurvedic drug research, a path to sense possible alterations in drug formulations and ultimately new drug discovery. Keywords: Arjuna, Ayurveda, Ayurvedic formulations, Termianalia arjuna INTRODUCTION Ayurvedic classics treasures a rich medicine stated in chief or principle sutra repertory of medicinal plants used for the volume of Atharvaveda, Kaushiksutra (400- treatment, management and/or control of 300 B.C.). Further synonyms and properties different types of diseases. Knowledge about of Arjuna are mentioned in Bhavprakash the healing property of medicinal plants Nighantu. Later on Chakradatta, the great used in Ayurvedic therapeutics mentioned in ancient physician, recommended uses of Ar- classics is a result of astute clinical observa- juna bark in form of decoction with milk tions made over centuries. Details about (Kshirpaka) or as a ghrita (a preparation their properties and therapeutic applications with ghee).4 are available in ancient scriptures like Ve- Since, detailed combined assessment on das, Samhitas and Puranas. Compilations of modern aspects as well as Ayurvedic classi- later periods that are called Nighantus also cal preparations of different formulations of contain enormous amount of information.1 Arjuna along with scientific symposium The current global trend towards utilization were not available on one platform during of plant-derived natural remedies has, there- extensive literature search hence it was fore, created a dire need for accurate and up thought worthwhile to undertake detailed to date information on the properties and review study. Immense effort was made to uses, efficacy, safety and quality of medici- compile the details of Arjuna and its impera- nal plant products.2 Hence, the review of tive formulations used in Ayurvedic System traditional medicinal plant and their formu- of Medicines. lations mentioned in Ayurvedic classics is ARJUNA crucial in present era. Terminalia Arjuna Terminalia Arjuna (Roxb.) Wt. & (Roxb.) Wt. & Arn is of them having enor- Arn., is commonly known as Arjuna, large mous influence in Ayurvedic system of evergreen tree belonging to family Combra- medicines. In Rigveda, the word ‘Arjuna’ is taceae. It is distributed throughout the used either to indicate the white colour or greater part of the Indian peninsula along one of taintless fame and glow like silver.3 It rivers and found in sub Himalayan tract, may be the first reference of Arjuna used as Chhota Nagpur, Orissa, West Bengal, Pun- Aghera et al: A Notable Review On Terminalia Arjuna And Its Imperative Ayurvedic Formulations: An Overview jab, Daccan and Konkan.5 The classical CHEMICAL CONSTITUENTS names of Arjuna are Dhavala, Kakubha, The medicinal plants used in traditional Nadisarja, Veeravriksha, Partha, Indradru.6 medical system have proven to be an abun- Generally stem bark, fruits and leaves of Ar- dant source of novel biological active com- juna are used in the therapeutics.7 The thera- pounds, many of which have been basis for peutic human dose of juice is 10-20 ml; the development of new lead chemicals for powder 3-6 gm; decoction 50-100 ml;8 and pharmaceuticals for new drug discovery. kshirpaka10-12 ml.9 There are many chemical compounds found PROPERTIES AND ACTION in Arjuna bark including: arjunic acid, ar- Rasa: Kasaya junetin, arjunolone, terminoic acid, arjuno- Guna: Laghu, Ruksha litin, arjungenin, arjunglucoside I and II, ar- Veerya: Sheeta junglucoside III. Tannins in bark containing Prabhava: Hridya catechin, gallocatechin, epicatechin and epi- Doshaghnata: Kaphapittashamaka gallocatechin. Rogaghnata: Vrana, Raktasrava, Asthib- Moreover, arjunolic acid, tomentosic acid, hagna, Raktatisara, Raktapradara, Charma- β-sitosterol, ellagic acid, (+)- roga, Arsha, Prahema, Jeernajwara leucodelphinidin, arjunin, arjunophtha- Karma: Raktastambhana, Sandhaneeya, noloside, terminoside A, casuarianin, termi- Vranaropana, Stambhana, Hridya, Hriday- arjunoside I and II, arjunglucoside IV and V, ottejaka, Raktaprasadana, Kaphaghna, arjunasides A-E, 2α, 3β–dihydroxyurs 12, Mootrasangrahaneeya, Jwaraghna, Medo- 18 dien–28 oic acid 28 o–β-D- hara, Vishaghna, Balya.8 glucopyranosyl ester were reported in bark TRIBAL AND TRADITIONAL USES of T. arjuna.15 OF ARJUNA PHARMACOLOGICAL STUDIES Fresh juice of leaves of Arjuna is used for T. arjuna has a wide range of usefulness in the treatment of earache in South India and indigenous medicine. It has possesses phar- root paste is applied on headache.10 Paste of macological actions like cardioprotective leaf made with sugar and milk given once a activity,16 hypolipidemic and anti- day for 20 days for the treatment of sperma- atherosclerotic activity,17-18 anti-oxidant ac- torrhoea.11 Traditional healers from South tivity,19 analgesic, anti-inflammatory and India uses fruit paste topically on wounds.12 immunomodulatoryactivity,20 anti-tumour Tribal living in Orissa uses dried bark of activity,21 anti-carcinogenic activity22 and Arjuna powder along with rice washed water anti-mutagenic effects.23 Moreover, Arjuna to treat blood in urine, and chew the fresh bark has anti-ulcer activity,24 hepatoprotec- bark and swallow the juice as an antacid.13 tive activity,25 wound healing activity.26 It In Tamil Nadu, peoples boiled the bark possesses anti-diabetic activity,27 antiviral powder with water, and inhale it to cure activity28 and reproductive activity.29 The headache and to kill worms in teeth.11 De- pharmacological activities of T. Arjuna bark coction of the bark has used as ulcer wash, including research work has been on raw while bark ash is prescribed for snakebite bark, aqueous extract, alcoholic extract, and scorpion sting.14 ethanolic extract and a range of isolated Stem bark of Arjuna is having tremendous compounds like tannin fractions, arjunolic uses described in classical texts. It is act as acid and triterpinoides. There is no any sci- astringent, cooling, aphrodisiac, cardiotonic, entific evidence found regarding pharmacol- demulcent, styptic, anti-dysentric, urinary ogical activity of classical formulations of astringent, expectorant, alexiteric, lithontrip- Arjuna bark as it is upcoming trend in cur- tic tonic, It is also use in some clinical con- rent era and future market. ditions like fractures, ulcers, urethrorrhoea, TOXICITY spermatorrhoea, leucorrhoea, diabetes, No major toxicity has been documented of anaemia, cardiac disorders, cough, tumour, T. Arjuna. The results from acute oral toxic- excessive perspiration, fatigue, asthma, ity study suggested that ethanolic extract of bronchitis, intrinsic haemorrhage, otalgia, T. Arjuna at limit dose of 2000 mg/kg did diarrhoea associated with blood, cirrhosis of not produce any kind of toxicity in ani- liver, hypertension, inflammation and skin mals.18 Further administration of T. Arjuna disorders.8 resulted in reduction of thyroid hormone 1815 www.iamj.in IAMJ: Volume 3; Issue 6; June- 2015 Aghera et al: A Notable Review On Terminalia Arjuna And Its Imperative Ayurvedic Formulations: An Overview concentration in euthyroid animals, whereas ready for ingestion should be not only effec- the hepatic LPO has been increased. Thus, tive but also easy to administer, palatable high amount of the plant extract should not and agreeable to the patients. Current sce- be consumed, as it may induce hepatotoxic- nario of preparation of different formula- ity as well as hypothyroidism.30 In clinical tions from single crude drug mainly associ- studies mild side effects like nausea, gastri- ated to safety, efficacy, stability and palat- tis, headache, bodyache, constipation, and ability. Ayurvedic system of medicines also insomnia have been reported. No haemato- gives prime importance to these four basic logical, renal, or metabolic toxicity has been requirements as well as other Ayurvedic reported on T. arjuna even after longer ad- fundamentals while formulating the drugs. ministration of more than 24 months.31 Arjuna is one of the ingredients of many im- AYURVEDIC FORMULATIONS OF perative formulations used in the Ayurveda. ARJUNA The list of different formulations of Arjuna In ancient period physician designed drugs in which Arjuna is used as main