TERMINALIA ARJUNA: A COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW OF ITS THERAPEUTIC APPLICATIONS

Terminalia arjuna, commonly known as arjuna, is a medicinal plant from the Combretaceae family. For centu-ries, traditional medicine in the Indian subcontinent has used a decoction of its bark to manage conditions like angina, high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and abnormal lipid levels. Despite its long-standing use, more research is needed to fully understand its effectiveness in treating cardiovascular diseases. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of experimental and clinical research on Arjuna, particularly studies conducted over the past decade. Data were gathered from sources such as PubMed, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library, with a focus on systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and clinical trials.The majority of these studies—both laboratory-based and clinical—indicate that arjuna exhibits anti-ischemic, antioxidant, lipid-lowering, and anti-atherogenic properties. Key bioactive compounds found in arjuna include triterpenoids, β-sitosterol, flavonoids, and glycosides, with triterpenoids and flavonoids believed to contribute significantly to its antioxidant and cardio-protective effects. Arjuna has shown encouraging results, particularly in the management of ischemic cardiomyopathy. While no significant adverse effects have been reported so far, its long-term safety profile still requires thorough investigation. Although the herb appears beneficial for treating angina, mild hyper-tension, and dyslipidemia, its role in the primary or secondary prevention of coronary artery disease remains un-certain and warrants further study.