Terminalia arjuna
Arjuna
Terminalia arjuna, commonly known as Arjuna, is a majestic medicinal tree native to the Indian subcontinent. Renowned in Ayurveda, its bark contains potent bioactive compounds used primarily to strengthen cardiac muscles and regulate blood pressure. This powerful botanical remains a cornerstone in traditional treatments for enhancing overall cardiovascular health.
- Scientific name: Terminalia arjuna
- Family: Combretaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Myrtales, it is classified under the family Combretaceae. Specifically, Terminalia arjuna is identified by the genus Terminalia.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Myrtales | WCVP |
| Family | Combretaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Terminalia | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Terminalia arjuna, is recognized by various traditional and regional names across different languages. In Hindi and Marathi, it is commonly referred to as अर्जुन वृक्ष, while in Punjabi, it is known as ਅਰਜੁਨ. In the Malayalam language, it is called നീർമരുത്, and in Polish, it is identified as Migdałecznik arjuna.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| hi | अर्जुन वृक्ष | Wikidata |
| pa | ਅਰਜੁਨ | Wikidata |
| ml | നീർമരുത് | Wikidata |
| pl | Migdałecznik arjuna | Wikidata |
| mr | अर्जुन वृक्ष | Wikidata |
| te | తెల్ల మద్ది | Wikidata |
| kn | ಮತ್ತಿ | Wikidata |
| or | ଅର୍ଜୁନ ଗଛ | Wikidata |
| sa | अर्जुनवृक्षः | Wikidata |
| ru | Кукубха | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a wide geographical distribution spanning across several distinct regions. Within the Indian Subcontinent, it is commonly found in areas such as Assam and Bangladesh. Its presence also extends into East Asia, specifically throughout China Southeast. Moving toward the Western Indian Ocean, the species can be located on the island of Mauritius. Additionally, the plant is known to inhabit the island of Rodrigues within the same oceanic region.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Western Indian Ocean | Mauritius | WCVP |
| Western Indian Ocean | Rodrigues | WCVP |
| China | China Southeast | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Assam | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Bangladesh | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | India | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Pakistan | WCVP |
| Indian Subcontinent | Sri Lanka | WCVP |
| Indo-China | Myanmar | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Trinidad-Tobago | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Terminalia arjuna, is highly valued in traditional medicine, with various components offering significant therapeutic benefits. The most crucial part used for treating cardiovascular ailments is the stem bark, which is often processed into a fine powder to support heart health. The thick, greyish bark is rich in various bioactive compounds that contribute to its medicinal potency. Additionally, the leaves are frequently utilized in herbal formulations for their diverse healing properties. The reproductive structures, including the fruit and the individual fruits produced by the tree, are also studied for their specific nutritional and medicinal contributions to holistic wellness.- Total parts
- 21
- Scientific sources
- 57
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| bark | 28 | ★★★★★ |
| stem bark | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| fruit | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| leaves | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Bark | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| unripe fruit | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tree-bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tree bark | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Terminalia arjuna has 65 reported phytochemicals identified across 122 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include arjunic acid, arjungenin, flavonoids, arjunetin, tannins.
- Total chemicals
- 65
- Scientific sources
- 122
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| arjunic acid | 9 | ★★★★☆ |
| arjungenin | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| flavonoids | 8 | ★★★★☆ |
| arjunetin | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| tannins | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| arjunolic acid | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| triterpenoids | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| arjunglucoside I | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ellagic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| gallic acid | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Activities
Terminalia arjuna has 27 reported activities identified across 72 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Cardioprotective, Cardiotonic, Antibacterial, Antihypertensive.
- Total activities
- 27
- Scientific sources
- 72
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 14 | ★★★★★ |
| Cardioprotective | 12 | ★★★★★ |
| Cardiotonic | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antibacterial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antihypertensive | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimicrobial | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antimutagenic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Antiviral | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hepatoprotective | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Hypolipidemic | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Terminalia arjuna has 78 reported medicinal uses identified across 116 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include coronary artery disease, heart failure, atherosclerosis, cardiovascular diseases, hyperlipidemia.
- Total uses
- 78
- Scientific sources
- 116
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| coronary artery disease | 7 | ★★★★☆ |
| heart failure | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| atherosclerosis | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cardiovascular diseases | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hyperlipidemia | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| hypertension | 4 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| cancer | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| inflammation | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| ischemic heart disease | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| myocardial infarction | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |