Terminalia Arjuna
Also known as: Arjuna, Dhavala, Kakubha, Nadisarja, Veeravriksha, Partha, Indradru
Overview
Terminalia arjuna (Arjuna) is a tree that has its bark used medicinally, usually for the purposes of cardioprotection. It appears to reduce pressure and pulse rate, and may increase aerobic exercise capacity. Terminalia Arjuna is most often used for Cardiovascular Health. The water extract shows promise at improving left ventricle function of the heart without any observable toxicity of side effects when taken at 500mg thrice a day (every 8 hours). There are numerous human studies conducted on Arjuna bark, although many of them are low in sample size. Nevertheless, the water extract appears to be effective in improving cardiac function in persons who have recently undergone cardiac trauma or injury; Myocardial Infarction is the most commonly researched ailment in this regard. Only one study exists on otherwise healthy persons, but Arjuna showed benefit in improving left ventricle function in an exercise test and the benefits may affect a person regardless of health state.
Benefits
In animal models, this extract appears to exert protection on cardiac tissue in response to various cardiac insults including beta(2)adrenergic agonists (like ephedrine, although isoproterenol was used in the studies) and catecholamines themselves. The water extract appears to be effective for improving cardiovascular health, particularly at the level of left ventricle function. The studies in humans are underpowered at this moment in time and only one in healthy humans (preliminary evidence), but all evidence appears to be promising and in the same positive direction. The water extract appears to be quite safe.
How it works
The ethanolic or acetone extracts may not have similar cardioprotective effects yet appear to be somewhat cancer protective. Tumor growth in animal models is reduced with either the ethanolic extract or isolated Arjunolic Acid (commonly seen as the main bioactive) as is reduced DNA damage in response to mutagens, and these are attributed to the antioxidative capacity of Arjuna which is comparable to Vitamin C on a per weight basis. Other possible uses of Arjuna include ulcer protection in the stomach with potency similar to Rantidine in one study (associated with the ethanolic extract), protection to the liver and kidney likely mediated by antioxidative properties (ethanolic extract) and the cardiovascular properties may increase anaerobic cardiovascular performance in healthy persons.
Side effects
A standard dose for the purposes of cardiac health appears to be 500mg of the bark (water extract) taken daily in the morning without food. For persons who suffered cardiac trauma (such as Myocardial Infarction), this dose tends to be taken thrice a day every 8 hours. The leaf extracts and ethanolic extracts appear to be more related to the cytotoxic and anti-tumor effects, but not enough evidence exists to recommend an active dose of these extracts for human consumption.
Dosage
Ethanolic extracts have potent antioxidative and potentially potent anticancer effects, but although there are no reported side effects with the ethanolic extracts currently (due to a lack of human interventions) it is theoretically plausible that higher than recommended doses could be harmful related to the anticancer effects (cytotoxicity). Additionally, the anti-cancer evidence is somewhat limited as although cytotoxicity has been established in cancer cells a lack of evidence exists to assess healthy cells.
FAQs
What are other names for Terminalia Arjuna?
Terminalia Arjuna is also known as Arjuna, Dhavala, Kakubha, Nadisarja, Veeravriksha, Partha, and Indradru.
