A study on phytochemical and pharmacological activity of Terminalia arjuna: A review

The demand for the natural drugs obtained from plant source have been ever increasing due to its negligible side effects. Arjuna scientifically known as Terminalia arjuna belongs to family Combretaceae. Arjuna finds its place in many indigenous systems of medicines like Ayurveda. Cardiovascular diseases have been a major source of death world wide, since then the evolution of many drugs happened to be the cure for cardiovascular diseases. Arjuna bark is found to be one of the potential herb with maximum cardiotonic properties. Several literature reviews confirms its potentiality. The bark of Arjuna is traditionally used in many Ayurvedic formulations for its cardiotonic, styptic, febrifuge and diuretic activities. Arjuna bark is found to contain many bioactive compounds like Gylcosides, tannins, flavonoids possessing active pharmacological actions specially Hypolipidemic activities and Antioxidant activity. The main aim of the study is to focus on the clinical and experimental studies on cardiovascular activities of Arjuna with reference to its phytochemical compounds.