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Terminalia Arjuna.
Plant parts used: Bark, root, leaf and fruit.
Description:
A large tree with spreading branches and white bark. Leaves
sub-opposite, ovate, coriaccous. Flowers sessile yellowish in short
axillary spikes, bracteoles minute. Fruit samara with 5-7 equal wings
(*1).
Chemical Composition:
The bark contains sugar, tannin (20-24%), colouring matter and
carbonates of calcium, sodium, (Magnesium) with traces of chlorides
of alkali metals(*2, 3). The benzene extract leads to the isolation of
crystalline substances-arjunine and arjunctein(*4). Arjuna bark also
contains arjunolic acid, a triterpene saponin which is responsible for
the diuretic property(*5). The triterpine glycosides are Arjunoside
I,II,III and IV(*6, *7). The flavone Arjunolone is also found(*4).
Photo credit : Modern Natural products
Medicinal properties:
Arjuna bark is used for it`s acid neutralizing properties. It is also popularly used as a cardiac tonic. The diuretic
property has also been observed, which is because of a saponin(*9) 'The bark is useful in diseases of the heart,
allays thirst and relieves fatigue(*8).
Contraindication: Commonly prescribed doses are well tolerated..
References:
1. Sutaria R. N.: A Text Book of Systematic Botany, Khadayata Book Depot, Ahmedabad (1969).
2. Shah, C. S. and B. C. Mehta: ind. J. Pharm IS: 84 (1956).
3. Ghosall L. N.: Thesis on Terminalia arjuna Cited in 13.
4. Sharma, P. N. et al.: Ind. J. Chem. 21 B(3): 262 (1982).
5. Rameshandra Rao, L. and G. S. R. Subba Rao: J. Ind. Chem. Soc. 39: 89 (1962).
6. Ahmed, M. U. et al.: J. Bangladesh Acad. Sec. 6: 61 (1982).
7. Anjaneyulu, A. S. K. et al.: Phytochemistry 22: 993 (1983).
8. Bhavamisra: Bbavaprakash Nighantu, 4th Edition (Eds.) G. S. Pandey and K. C. Chunekar, Chowkhamhha Sanskrit
Sansthan, Varanasi (1985).
9. Chopra R. N.: Indigenous Drugs of India, Academic Press,Calcutta (1982).
