Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight &Arn.: Competent source of bioactive components in functional food and drugs

Abstract

Medicinal plants have been a major source of therapeutic agents to cure human diseases, since ancient time. Terminalia arjunais one kind of widely used medicinal plant used in various indigenous system of medicine like Ayurveda, Sidda and Unani. This review has been conducted to pile up phytochemical, pharmacological information and application in ayurveda and food products about the T.arjuna that is available indifferent scientific literatures. Many studies of this plant have been reported to contain phytochemical constituents like triterpenoids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, β-Sitosterol, minerals (calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper etc.), which exhibit various pharmacological activities like antimicrobial, anticancer, cardioprotective, antifungal, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, hypolipidemic, anthelmintic, insecticidal, wound healing, antiacne, gastroprotective etc. The present comprehensive review is therefore an effort to give detailed information on botanical description, phytochemical constituents, phytochemical, pharmacological studies and application in ayurveda and food products of T. arjuna.

Full text

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The Pharma Innovation Journal 2018; 7(3): 223-231
ISSN (E): 2277- 7695
ISSN (P): 2349-8242
NAAS Rating: 5.03
TPI 2018; 7(3): 223-231
© 2018 TPI
www.thepharmajournal.com
Received: 05-01-2018
Accepted: 06-02-2018
Simmy Gupta
Amity institute of
Biotechnology, Amity
University Rajasthan, Jaipur,
Rajasthan, India
Jyoti Prabha Bishnoi
Amity institute of
Biotechnology, Amity
University Rajasthan, Jaipur,
Rajasthan, India
Naveen Kumar
Amity institute of
Biotechnology, Amity
University Rajasthan, Jaipur,
Rajasthan, India
Harish Kumar
Amity institute of
Biotechnology, Amity
University Rajasthan, Jaipur,
Rajasthan, India
Nidheesh T
Amity institute of
Biotechnology, Amity
University Rajasthan, Jaipur,
Rajasthan, India
Correspondence
Jyoti Prabha Bishnoi
Amity institute of
Biotechnology, Amity
University Rajasthan, Jaipur,
Rajasthan, India
Terminalia arjuna (Roxb.) Wight &Arn.: Competent
source of bioactive components in functional food and
drugs
Simmy Gupta, Jyoti Prabha Bishnoi, Naveen Kumar, Harish Kumar and
Nidheesh T
Abstract
Medicinal plants have been a major source of therapeutic agents to cure human diseases, since ancient
time. Terminalia arjunais one kind of widely used medicinal plant used in various indigenous system of
medicine like Ayurveda, Sidda and Unani. This review has been conducted to pile up phytochemical,
pharmacological information and application in ayurveda and food products about the T.arjuna that is
available indifferent scientific literatures. Many studies of this plant have been reported to contain
phytochemical constituents like triterpenoids, glycosides, flavonoids, tannins, β-Sitosterol, minerals
(calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper etc.), which exhibit various pharmacological activities like
antimicrobial, anticancer, cardioprotective, antifungal, antidiabetic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory,
hypolipidemic, anthelmintic, insecticidal, wound healing, antiacne, gastroprotective etc. The present
comprehensive review is therefore an effort to give detailed information on botanical description,
phytochemical constituents, phytochemical, pharmacological studies and application in ayurveda and
food products of T. arjuna.
Keywords: T.arjuna, cardiotonic, anticancer, ayurvedic formulations, food products
1. Introduction
Man uses medicinal plants in many ways to meet his basic need that is food, clothing and
shelter since ancient times. Plants have also been used as medicines for thousands of years all
over the world. As per World Health Organization (WHO) 80% of world population still
depend on medicinal plants. Mostly developed countries still rely on plant based medicines for
primary care WHO 1978. Major traditional medicines which are been used has chemical
compounds derived from medicinal plants. The attention among population increased due to
their effectiveness, lesser side effects, increasing cost of modern medicines, cultural
acceptability and lack of current medical alternatives [1]. Thus there has been a shift in
universal trend from synthetic to herbal medicine, which we can say “return to nature” for the
prevention of diseases and ailments. Due to its rich biodiversity of medicinal plants and
abundance of traditional medicinal system the world is now looking towards India. In India
large number of plant species are available for treatment of various diseases but in the modern
medical system very few plant species are utilized.
Globally, medicinal are being studied in order to develop new molecules for use in
pharmacology, neutraceuticals, food supplements, folk medicines etc. T. arjuna is one kind of
widely used medicinal plant for health issues. In this regard one such plant is T. arjuna (Roxb.)
Wt. and Arn. Which is a deciduous and evergreen tree distributed throughout India growing to
a height of 20-30 m above ground level. The Classical names are Arjuna, Dhavala, Kakubha,
Nadisarja, Veervriksha, Partha, Indradru [2, 3]. The most common names of T. arjuna is Arjuna,
Arjun (Hindi), Marudhu (Tamil and Malyalam), TellMaddi/Yella maddi (Telugu), Arjhan
(Bengali), Sadaru (Marathi), Sadado/ Sadad (Gujrati), (Kannada) Neer Matti [1]. The bark
powder has been found to possess cardioprotective properties, anti-ischemic, antioxidant
action, hypercholesterolemia effect, fungicidal, antibacterial, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory,
immunomodulatory and antinociceptive activity. It is also have properties to cure obesity,
hypertension and hyperglycemia [4]. The higher antioxidant potential of T. arjuna stem bark is
due to the presence of higher amount of phenolic and flavonoids [5]. T. arjuna based
phytochemicals can be used on daily bases as tonic to maintain the healthy cardiovascular
system because it is considered as one of the best heart tonic [6, 7].

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The aim of present review is to highlight the Ayurvedic
formulation, food products and phytochemical,
pharmacological investigation carried out on this plant so that
more pharmacological studies could be conducted to
investigate the unexploited potential. It could be used in
development of functional foods.
2. Botanical description
2.1 Scientific classification
Kingdom- Plantae
Sub kingdom- Tracheobionta
Division- Magnoliophyta
Sub Division- Spermatophyta
Class- Magnoliopsida
Order- Myrtales
Family- Combretaceae
Genus- Terminalia
Species- arjuna.
2.2 Habitat
The tree is large about 60-80 feet in height, evergreen with a
spreading crown and having drooping branches, new leaves
appear in hot season (Feburary to April). This tree is exotic in
India [8]. In India it is found in Uttar Pardesh, South Bihar,
Madhya Pradesh, Delhi and Deccan region near ponds, rivers
and bank of streams. Two trees of 26 feet and 32 feet in girth
at 5 feet from the ground have been recorded in the village of
Manipur in Jammu and Kashmir [3].
2.3 Cultivation. T. arjuna grown manually through ripe
seeds, coppicing, pollarding, root suckers, stumps and air
layering. It grows slowly in the initial phase but later on
grows fast. It attains 2-3 meters height in three years [9].
2.4 Macroscopic characteristics
2.4.1 Leaves- The length of leaves are 15-25cm and 6- 7.5cm
width. The leaves are simple, alternate thick- coriaccous, base
obtuse- subcordate. Margin are crenate- serrate, apex is obtuse
or subacute, pale green above, pale brown beneath, shallowly
crenate- serrate, petiole is 0.6-0.9 cm long, oil gland observed
at abaxial side of leaf near petiole [10].
2.4.2 Bark- The outer surface of the bark appeared smooth,
pale greenish yellow while the inner surface is finely
longitudinally striated and pinkish in color. Bark has pieces
that are flat, curved and recurved in shape.
2.4.3 Flower- White or Yellowish flowers are found in
groups. Flowering occurs in summer and fruit appears in
winter or spring season.
2.4.4 Fruit- Fruits are 1-1.5 inch in diameter and 5-7
longitudinal lobes. These are glabrous with 5-7 wings, woody
and fibrous. Fruit is drupe and is often notched near the top,
marked with oblique upward curving striations.
3. Ethanobotany
T. arjuna is a plant which has various important uses in the
traditional system of medicine. Traditionally stem bark, fruit,
leaf and roots of T. arjuna are used to maintain good health.
Out of several medicinal plants described, T.arjuna is one of
the medicinal plants known to be beneficial for various
cardiac ailments, in “Atharva Veda” “Vagbhattacharya” was
the first one to cite the use of in the teatment of heart diseases
in his book ‛Astang Hridayam̕ and the same was autheniciated
by Chakradattam and Bhavamisram. The plant is highly
valued for its stem bark an important constituent in an Indian
Medicine System. The bark has sweet, cooling and tonic
effects. It acts as aphrodisiac, demulcent, styptic, anti-
dysentric, expectorant, alexitric, lithontriptic tonic. It is also
good in some clinical conditions like fractures, ulcers, cough,
excessive perspiration, fatigue, asthma, bronchitis, anemia,
hypertension, urethrorrhoea, spermatorrhoea, leucorrhoea,
diabetes, inflammation and skin disorders. The bark ash is
also prescribed for snakebite and scorpion sting. The fruit of
T. arjuna has tonic and deobstruent in effect. The juice of
leaves is advocated for earache.
3.1 Ayurvedic formulation of T. arjuna
Kashaya and Ksheerapaka are two main ayurvedic
formulations. Kashaya is water decoction and Ksheerapaka is
milk extract. These Kashaya are mainly prepared by boiling
the plant material in specified quantity of water till the active
ingredients are extracted. This liquid is then strained through
a muslin cloth and is used fresh. Decoctions can be used both
internally and externally [11, 12].
Ksheerpaka is milk extract used from ancient time as a food
and base of medicament. It possess high nutritive and
medicinal value. Ksheerpaka is highly acceptable by healthy
individuals and patients because of its important components
like proteins, lipids, fatty acids, vitamin, enzymes and
minerals. Qualities of milk have been potentially used as a
medicine by combining it with different herbs as in the case
of Ksheerpaka. It has been studied that on gradual increase in
the temperature of milk, solubility of fats and proteins also
increases, which may enhance the extraction of the
medicinally important active constituents [13].
4. Phytochemical constituents
The chemical constituents of Arjuna present in root bark, stem
bark, leaves, seeds and fruits. Root contains triterpenoids and
glycosides, fruit contains triterpenoids and flavonoids, Leaves
and seeds contain flavonoid and glycosides. But bark is
considered most important constituent from medicinal point
because it contains flavonoids, glycosides, polyphenols,
tannins, triterpenoids, saponins, sterols and minerals such as
calcium, magnesium, zinc, copper, amino acids also[14, 15].
Bark had 34% ash content consiting entirely of pure calcium
carbonate. Aqueous extract of T. arjuna is reported to have
23% calcium salts and 16% tannins [9, 16]. The extracts of T.
arjuna bark were also prepared by sequential method with
various organic solvents such as ethanol, methanol, butanol,
acetone, hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate etc. All the active
constituent of T. arjuna in stem bark, root, fruit, leaves and
seeds are well characterized in table 1. The chemical
structures of these compounds were confirmed by using
various advanced techniques like thin layer chromatography
(TLC), HPLC, reverse phase liquid chromatography (RP-
HPLC) and ESI–LC-MS/MS analysis. For example Anti-
oxidant compounds from leaves of T. arjuna has been isolated
through silica column chromatography and by using different
spectroscopic techniques [17].
4.1 Terpenoids and glycosides
T. arjuna bark contain large amount of triterpenoids.
Triterpenoids isolated from its bark are mailny arjunin,
arjunetin, arjunic acid, arjugenin. Arjunoglycoside [1, 2] are
also reported in stem bark [18]. Triterpane, terminoside A [19, 20]

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and two more glycosides namely Termiarjunoside 1,
Termiarjunoside 2 has found from bark [21]. Arjunglucoside
IV and V, Arjunasides A-E were isolated from the ethanolic
extract of the stem bark of T. arjuna [22].
4.2 Flavonoids
T. arjuna bark contains a very high level of flavonoids
compared to other commonly used plant item. Flavonoids
detected from its bark are namely arjunolone, flavones,
bicalein, quercetin, kempferol and pelorgonidin. The aqueous
extract of T. arjuna contains 70% polyphenols having a
molecular weight greater than 3.5 kDa [23]. Flavonoids are
very important because of its anti mutagenic and antibacterial
property. It is also act as strong anti- proliferative and
antioxidant agents due to presence of free radical scavenging
action of various phenolic contents.
4.3 Tannins
Various constituent of tannins are found in bark of T. arjuna.
The constituent are Pyrocatechols, Punicallin, Castalagin,
Casuariin, Punicalagin, Terchebulin, Terflavin C.Tannins are
speculated to have astringent, hypotensive, wound- healing,
antioxidant as well as antimicrobial effects [24][25]. They have
multiple biological effects and also act as antioxidants by
preventing the oxidation of Low-Density Lipoproteins (LDL),
platelet aggregation and damage of red blood cells. Some of
these substances have anti-fungal, anti-bacterial, antioxidant,
anti-cancer, wound healing and hepato-protective effects [26, 27,
28, 29, 30].
4.4 Minerals and amino acids
The bark of T. arjuna contains large amount of various
minerals and trace elements such as magnesium (4000 mg/g),
calcium (3133 mg/g), zinc (119 mg/g) and copper (19 mg/g).
It contains some amino acids such as tryptophan, tyrosine,
histidine and cysteine [31].
Table 1: Phytochemical constituents of various parts of T.arjuna (Roxb.) wight and Arn.
Parts
Major chemical constituent
References
Stem bark
Triterpenoids
Arjunin
Arjunic acid
Arjunenin
Terminic acid
Terminoltin
Arjunolic acid
[23, 32]
[15, 30, 33]
[31, 33, 37]
[33]
[19]
[33, 34, 35, 36, 37]
Glycosides
Arjunetin
Arjunoside I, II
Arjunolone
Arjunolitin
Arjunaphthanoloside
Arjunglucoside IV and V, Arjunasides A-E
Olean-3b, 22b-diol-12-en-28 b-D-glucopyranosie-oic acid
Terminarjunoside I and II
Terminoside A
Termionic acid
[23, 30, 32, 33, 34, 37]
[18, 23, 30, 33]
[23, 30]
[23, 37]
[38]
[20, 21]
[39]
[21]
[40]
Flavonoids and phenolics
Arjunone
Luteolin
Baicalein
Ethyl gallate
Gallic acid
Kempferol
Oligomeric proanthocyanidins
Pelargonidin
Quercetin
(þ)-catechin, (þ)-gallocatechin and (-)-epigallocatechin
Gallic acid, ellagic acid and its derivatives such as 3-O-methyl-ellagic acid 4-O-b-D-
xylopyranoside,
3-O-methyl ellagic acid 3-O-rhamnoside
3-O-methyl ellagic acid 40-O-a-L-rhamnophranoside
(-)-epicatechin
[23, 37]
[41]
[42]
[1]
[41]
[41]
[1]
[1]
[1]
[23]
[1]
[1]
[1]
[22]
[1]
Tannin
Pyrocatechols
Punicallin
Castalagin
Casuariin
Casuarinin
Punicalagin
Terchebulin
Terflavin C
[43]
[44]
[45]
[1]
[1]
[1]
[1]
[1]
Minerals and trace elements
Calcium, magnesium, aluminum, zinc, copper, silica
[46]

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Other compounds
b-Sitosterol
[19]
Roots
Triterpenoids
Arjunoside I-IV
Arjunolic acid
Oleanolic acid
Terminic acid
2a,19a-Dihydroxy-3Oxo-Olean-12-En28-Olic acid 28-O-b-D-glucopyranoside
Arjunic acid
Glycosides
Arjunetosie (3-O-b-D-glucopyranosyl-2a, 3b, 19a-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid
28-O-b-D-glucopyranoside)
[19]
[19, 47]
[1]
[1]
[48]
[33, 34]
[1]
[49]
Fruit
Triterpenoids and flavonoids
Arjunic acid, Arjunone, Arachidic stearate, Cerasidin, Ellagic acid Fridelin, Gallic
acid, Hentriacontane, Methyl oleaolate, Myristyloleate, b-Sitisterol
[50]
Leaves and seeds
Flavonoids and glycosides
Luteolin, 14,16-dianhydrogitoxigenin
3-b-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 > 2)-O-b-D-galactopyranoside
[41]
[51]
The phytochemical screening of various extract of T. arjuna
was perfomed. The presence of alkaloids, flavonoids,
glycosides, terpenoids and saponins were performed. For the
confirmation of these phytoconstituent in the plant extract,
various numbers of tests were perfomed. Test for phytosterol
was confirmed by salkowski’s reaction. Formation of brown
color upon addition of few drops of conc. H2SO4 in the
solution of cholroform with extract. Triterpenoids were
confirmed by formation of reddish violet color upon addition
of 1ml of chloroform and acetic anhydride to the extract.
Saponins were considered to be present when the extract
showed 1 cm layer of foam after giving a shake on addition of
distilled water.Test for alkaloid was confirmed by
Dragendroff’s test. On addition of few drops of Dragendroff’s
reagent formation of orange brown precipitate indicates the
presence of alkaloids.When extract is treated with few drops
of alcoholic alpha- napthol. Appearance of violet ring at
interphase on addition of conc. H2SO4 along the side of test
tube confirmed the presence of carbohydrate. Ninhydrin test
was conducted to indicate the presence of protein. When the
Keller- kiliani tests were conducted to indicate the presence of
glycosides. Reddish brown color appears at junction of the
two liquid layers and upper layer appears bluish green
indicates the presence of glycosides. The standard methods
for phytochemical screening are mentioned in Table 2.
Table 2: Preliminary phytochemical analysis of T. arjuna bark
extract [8].
Phytoconstituents
Test
Phytosterol
Salkowski reaction
Triterpenoid
liebermann- Burchard’s test
Saponin
Foam test
Alkaloid
Dragendroff’s test
Carbohydrate
Molisch’s test
Proteins
Ninhydrin test
Glycosides
Keller- Killiani test.
5. Pharmacological studies
5.1 Antimicrobial Property
The antimicrobial screening of free and bound flavonoid from
the bark of T. arjuna was analyzed. The study confined to
explore the bark of T. arjuna for some bioactive compounds.
Both bound and free flavonoid showed activity against all the
selected pathogens but the maximum inhibition zone was
observed against Agrobacterium tumifacians (IZ= 19mm,
AI=1.461±0.010) & Bacillus subtilis (IZ= 16mm, AI=
1.230±0.098) by the bound and free flavonoid extract of the
plant respectively [52].
The antimicrobial potential of T. arjuna leaves and bark
extracts against Staphylococcus aureus, Acinetobacter sp.,
Proteus mirabilis, Escherchia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa
and Candida albicans, pathogens causing ear infections and
their comparison with locally available ear drops. Organic
extract obtained from the T. arjuna bark and leaves may be
used to treat the bacterial ear pathogens especially S. aureus,
which has shown greater inhibition zones than the herbal
drops [53].
5.2 Antioxidant property
1) The protective effect of ethanolic extract of T. arjuna bark
(TAA) was studied and its fractions, including
dichloromethane (TAD), ethyl acetate (TAE), butanol (TAB)
and water (TAW) against free radicals, protein oxidation and
DNA damage.The maximum inhibition of DPPH, hydroxyl,
ABTS, nitric oxide radicals and metal chelation was observed
in TAE fraction (IC50 values: 270 ± 2 mg/ml, 175 ±11
mg/ml, 25 ±1.2 mg/ml, 405 ±9 mg/ml, 310 ±11 mg/ ml, 82 ±4
mg/ml, respectively). According to this study the T. bark
extracts ameliorate various impairments associated with DNA
damage and free radical formation [54].
1) The hypolipidaemic and anti-oxidative properties of
encapsulated herb (T. arjuna, 1.8%) added vanilla
chocolate dairy drink was evaluated in high cholesterol
fed Wistar rats for 60 days. The results demonstrated that
the bioactive components (phytosterols, flavanoids,
saponins and tannins etc.) which were present in the
encapsulated T. arjuna not only withstand the processing
conditions but also are effectively released in the intestine
and show their effects, such as hypolipidaemic and
antioxidant activities, for better treating cardiovascular
disease [55].
2) The alcoholic extract of stem bark of T.arjuna (ALTA)
was screened for antioxidant and antimutagenic
(anticlastogenic) activity. The ALTA has shown potent
antioxidant activity with EC50 of 2.491±0.160,
50.110±0.150 & 71.00±0.250 in DPPH assay, Superoxide
radical scavenging activity and lipid peroxidation assay,
which is comparable with ascorbic acid with EC50 of
2.471±0.140, 40.500±0.390 & 63.00±0.360 respectively.
In micronucleus test, ALTA (100 & 200 mg/ kg, p.o)
showed significant reduction in percentage of
micronucleus in both polychromatic erythrocytes (PCE)
and normochromatic erythrocytes (NCE) and also shown
significant reduction in P/N ratio. The results suggested

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that ALTA possess significant antioxidant and
antimutagenic activity [56].
3) The antioxidant activity and free radical scavenging
capacity was determined.The extraction yields of extracts
were ranged from 6.66-19.09g/100g (w/w) on dry weight
basis. It was observed that T.arjuna extracts contained
appreciable amount of TPC (6.02-11.00 g/100g, as gallic
acid equivalent). The range of TFC was (1.75- 5.96
g/100g, as catechin equivalent) and DPPH radical
scavenging activity was (IC50 2.71-7.68 μg/ mL),
inhibition of peroxidation was (64.79-71.43%) and
reducing power was (0.001-1.584 mg/mL). It can be
concluded from the results that T.arjuna extracts were
good source of natural antioxidants [57].
4) Cu2+ ascorbate induced oxidative stress in goat red blood
cell- an established model of oxidative stress in vitro was
used for the investigation. Aqueous T. arjuna bark extract
decreased the level of lipid peroxidation, increased the
reduced glutathione content and decreased the protein
carbonyl content in Cu2+-ascorbate treated RBCs. The
activities of antioxidant enzymes, catalase and superoxide
dismutase (SOD), were also found to be protected by this
aqueous bark extract. Aqueous bark extract of T. arjuna
was found to scavenge hydroxyl radical in a chemically
defined system. It also exhibited superoxide anion radical
scavenging activity [58].
5) The antioxidant and anthelmintic activity of T. arjuna
bark extracts were studied. The analysis for inorganic
component in the sample indicated the presence of Cd,
Mn, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn, K and Na. The crude extracts were
prepared from the T. arjuna stem bark and the
preliminary phytochemical screening of crude extract
indicates the presence of flavonoids, glycosides,
triterpenoids, saponins and tannins in the crude ethanolic
extract. From the observation, it was found that the
phenolic and flavonoid contents were high in TAEE
compared to other extracts [31].
5.3 Anti-inflammatory Effects
The Arjun ksheera paka was prepared in cow milk (as per
standard Ayurvedic procedure) and compared with standard
hydroalcoholic extract of T. arjuna. The extracts were
analyzed for gross phytoconstituents levels and their
antioxidant activity was assayed by DPPH free radical
scavenging activity and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The
percentage extraction yield of Arjun ksheera paka was two
folds higher than hydroalcoholic extract implying that the
phytoconstituents in Arjun ksheera paka were diluted by a
factor of 0.5. The total polyphenol content of hydroalcoholic
extract was (3.8 times) higher than Arjun ksheera paka and
the antioxidant activity of hydroalcoholic extract was also
higher compared to Arjun ksheera paka [59].
5.4 Repellent and antifeedant activities
The repellent and antifeedant activities of Saraca asoca and
T. arjuna bark extract to control Sitophilus oryzae were
studied. The repellent activity against S. oryzae adults was
more pronounced in methanol extract of T. arjuna bark as
compared with Saraca asoca bark extract. The antifeedant
activity against S. oryzae adults was greater in methanol
extract of T. arjuna bark as compared with S. asoca bark
extract. The potential insecticidal, repellent and antifeedant
activity of S. asoca and T. arjuna bark extracts might be
present in bioactive compounds. Therefore, S. asoca and T.
arjuna could be considered an ideal grain (Rice) protectant
from the point of view of seed viability and safety to
mammals [60].
5.5 Cardiovascular activity
The research was investigated to know the effect of different
schedules of administration of T. arjuna bark powder serum
biochemistry of broilers chicks. A total of 72 (Arbor-Acres)
day old chicks were used in this study. Four levels of Arjuna
bark powder at the rate of .00%, 0.50%, 0.75%, and 1% were
incorporated into the basal diet for five weeks. Feeding period
for all groups was lasted for 35 days. Significant decreased
total cholesterol, triglycerides and LDL was observed in
Treatment T4 (1%). It is concluded that schedule on the basis
receiving infusion three days in a week is more potent than
other schedule of research study [61].
5.6 Antihyperglycemic and Lipid Lowering Effect
The study performed on Type 2 model rats, which were made
diabetic by the single intraperitoneal injection of
Streptozotocin (STZ). The STZ has been shown to induce free
radical production and cause tissue injury. The ethanol extract
of T. arjuna was evaluated recently for its potent antioxidant
potential against OH•, O2•− and lipid peroxidation. It has
been shown that, due to high degree of some derivatives of
arjunic acid like arjunoglycoside (I, II, III and IV),
arjungenin, arjunolone, arjunetin, tanins, ellagic acid and it
significantly decreased free radical damage and hepatic lipid
peroxidation. After 21 days the antidiabetic effect of ethanolic
extract of T. arjuna was found [62].
5.6.1 Lipid lowering effect
Apart from the blood sugar lowering effect, beneficial
changes in lipid profile have also been observed by T. arjuna
extract. According to this study, ethanol extract of T. arjuna
significantly decreased serum total cholesterol (p<0.05) and
triglyceride (p<0.001). Considering triglyceride level, it was
found that ethanol extract of T. arjuna decreased TG level
more significantly (p<0.001) than glibenclamide treated group
(p<0.05). The observed results suggesting that arjunic acid as
well as its derivatives when undergo biotransformation by
hepatic drug metabolism, produce common active
metabolites, which probably responsible for lipid lowering
activity. This demonstrates that T. arjuna ethanol extract have
potential anti hyperlipidemic effect in type 2 diabetic model
rats.
The anti-diabetic and haemolytic activity of aqueous stem
bark extract of T. arjuna was investigated. Antidiabetic
bioassay was done through estimation of blood counts, total
cellular (i.e. proteins) and free haemoglobin content in
diabetic blood plasma and also determined its haemolytic
activity in human whole blood. The results suggest that
aqueous stem bark extract of Terminalia arjuna showed anti-
diabetic activity with respect to enhancement of granulocytes
count and decrease in free haemoglobin content including
total cellular content in diabetic human whole blood and
plasma samples. T. arjuna aqueous stem bark extract revealed
the presence of bio-active constituents which are known to
exhibit anti-diabetic activities [63].
5.7 Anti-cancer activity
The anti-cancer activity of T. arjuna was reported. An
endophytic fungus, Pestalotiopsis terminaliae was isolated
from T. arjuna leaves and was screened for the production of

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taxol (anticancer drug). Sufficient amount of taxol 211.1
μg/litre was produced by fungus. The fungal taxol extracted
from an organic extract of the fungal culture had strong
cytotoxic activity towards BT220, H116, Int 407, HL 251 and
HLK 210 human cancer cells in vitro when tested by apoptsis
assay [64].
6. Incorporation of arjuna in food products
1) In India, about 39% of the total milk produced is
converted into ghee and butter. The clarified milk fat,
particularly ghee, has the characteristics to absorb all the
medicinal properties of the herbs with which it is
fortified, without losing its own qualities. Presently, the
herbal ghee being marketed in the global market is
mostly sold as medicine (medicinal ghee). These
products possess a typical flavour, a bitter or pungent
taste and a dark colour. Such therapeutic preparations are
therefore not acceptable for regular consumption. Arjuna
ghee has been developed for providing beneficial effects
against CVD and the product was more stable to
oxidative deterioration as compared to conventional ghee.
The consumer acceptability of this product is also very
good [65]. Unlike in case of medicated ghee preparations,
in daily diet Arjuna ghee can be replaced with regular
ghee. Also the antioxidant properties of herbs led their
use into fat rich dairy products for retarding auto-
oxidation there by prolonging the shelf-life [65, 66].
2) The study was performed on development of buffalo
meat rolls by incorporating extracts from T. arjuna at 2, 4
and 6% level (each) for selecting optimum level of
incorporation and their effect on the texture profile of the
developed products. On the basis of sensory scores, 2%
level of arjun tree bark extract were found suitable for
incorporation and selected for further studies. The
hardness, springiness and cohesiveness of the developed
products were comparable to control samples. The
buffalo male calf meat rolls with good sensory and
textural properties can be developed by incorporating 2%
arjun tree bark extracts [67].
3) Systematic comparison of high-performance liquid
chromatograms of a standardized the Arjuna churna
formulation and marketed formulations of Arjuna churna
revealed eight common peaks at retention times of 1.5,
4.0, 22.0, 24.8, 31.8, 37.7, 39.3, and 44.2 min in an
acetonitrile–water gradient program, which can serve as a
fingerprint for Arjuna churna formulations. High-
performance liquid chromatograms of isolated
sapogenins and formulations of Arjuna churna showed
the presence of six common peaks at retention times of
1.5, 4.0, 22.0, 24.8, 31.8, and 39.3 min in acetonitrile -
water gradient eluted solvent system [68].
4) Herbal green tea was developed using T. arjuna. The
nutritional, phytochemical, antioxidant and antibacterial
activity showed that Withania somnifera stem, Cinnamon
bark, Tinospora cordifolia stems, T. arjuna bark, Green
tea and the formulation mixture of these herbs showed
that they can be proven to be an excellent source of
nutraceuticals and flavoring agents. Multiple health
benefits featured in the blended formulation make it a
perfect physical and psychological health rejuvenator. As
sensory appeal matters the most to consumers more than
health or nutritional benefits, so the above infusion will
provide them with new alternatives to traditional flavored
teas which can impart health benefits too [69].
5) The hypolipidaemic and anti-oxidative properties of
encapsulated herb (Terminalia arjuna, 1.8%) added
vanilla chocolate dairy drink was evaluated in high
cholesterol fed Wistar rats for 60 days. Moreover, a
significant decrease in serum lipids such as triglycerides,
total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol,
very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and atherogenic
indexwas observed with encapsulated.The results
demonstrated that the bioactive components
(phytosterols, flavanoids, saponins and tannins etc.)
which are present in the encapsulated T. arjuna not only
withstand the processing conditions but also are
effectively released in the intestine and show their
effects, such as hypolipidaemic and antioxidant activities
for better treating cardiovascular disease [55].
7. Toxicity/ Side Effects
T. arjuna has been used in the dose between 1 to 2 g per day
and found that this is an optimum dose in the patients
particularly CAD. These doses have lesser side effect like
headache, mild gastritis and constipation. There were no
reports in the regards of hematological, hepatic, metabolic and
renal toxicity after more than two years of its administration.
No haematological, metabolic, renal and hepatic toxicity has
been reported even more than 24 months of its administration
[70, 71, 72].
8. Conclusion
Herbs and their extracts have long been used for curing health
related components and metabolic disorders as natural
remedies. T. arjuna, the versatile traditional medicinal plant
of India, is the rich source of bioactive compounds with
diverse chemical structure. Functional components present in
them aids in performing a wide range of biological
functionalities. A considerbale portion’s functional food
market consists of herbal supplemented functional foods.
Research should be focused in development of food products
enriched with medicinal plant. Scientific community must
apply modern techniques to assure the efficacy and safety of
herbs and their bioactive components for their use in food
formulations.
A vast scope exists for undertaking well planned multi-
disciplinary studies in this field in which at most importance
should be given to the concepts behind Ayurvedic
formulations.
Conflict of interest statement
We declare that we have no conflict of interest.
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