Arjuna

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Arjuna
Common Names	Arjuna, Arjun tree
Hindi	Arjun
Sanskrit	Arjuna, Dhananjaya, Partha
Latin/Botanical	Terminalia arjuna

Parts Used

• Bark

Dosha Effects

Dosha	Effect
Pitta	Decreases
Kapha	Decreases
Vata	Neutral

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Arjunolic acid
• Arjunic acid
• Arjungenin
• Arjunetin
• Tannins
• Flavonoids (luteolin)

Therapeutic Actions (Karma)

• Cardiotonic
• Antihypertensive
• Anti-ischemic
• Antioxidant
• Hypolipidemic
• Wound healing

How does it work?

• Arjunolic acid (pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin) is the primary cardioprotective compound, inhibiting thrombin-induced platelet aggregation (IC50: 0.048 mM, more potent than aspirin at 0.088 mM)
• Prevents doxorubicin-induced cardiac apoptosis by blocking JNK-p38 and p53 signaling pathways
• Reverses cardiac fibrosis by inhibiting non-canonical TGF-beta signaling via TAK1 phosphorylation blockade, reducing p38 MAPK and NF-kB p65 activation
• Boosts endogenous antioxidant defense: increases catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase activity
• Anti-inflammatory cytokine rebalancing: decreases pro-inflammatory and increases anti-inflammatory cytokines in cardiac tissue
• Cardioprotection via MyD88-dependent TLR4 signaling pathway inhibition (2023 discovery)
• Positive inotropic effect enhancing myocardial contractility without increasing heart rate

How is it used traditionally?

Named after Arjuna of Mahabharata. Vagbhata describes Arjuna Ksheerapaka for Hridroga (heart disease). Charaka classifies it as Udarda Prashamana (anti-urticaria) and wound healer.

Where is it described in the classical texts?

• Charaka Samhita
• Sushruta Samhita
• Ashtanga Hridaya
• Bhavaprakasha Nighantu

What do recent clinical trials show?

• Ramesh P, Palaniappan A 2023. Terminalia arjuna, a Cardioprotective Herbal Medicine-Relevancy in the Modern Era of Pharmaceuticals and Green Nanomedicine-A Review. Pharmaceuticals (Basel, Switzerland). PMID 36678623 · doi:10.3390/ph16010126
  Review examining T. arjuna’s pleiotropic cardiovascular effects including anti-atherogenic, hypotensive, inotropic, anti-inflammatory, anti-thrombotic and antioxidant actions, with exploration of nano-formulation approaches for improved bioavailability.
• Rajaram V, Namasivayam A, Shanmugam R and others 2024. Terminalia arjuna: An overview of its magical properties. Bioinformation. PMID 40230946 · doi:10.6026/9732063002002080
  Comprehensive overview documenting cardiovascular properties attributed to flavonoids, polyphenols, triterpenoids, tannins, glycosides, and minerals. Highlighted need for more rigorous clinical trials.
• Hasan MM, Madhavan P, Ahmad Noruddin NA and others 2023. Cardioprotective effects of arjunolic acid in LPS-stimulated H9C2 and C2C12 myotubes via the My88-dependent TLR4 signaling pathway. Pharmaceutical biology. PMID 37497554 · doi:10.1080/13880209.2023.2230251
  Demonstrated arjunolic acid exerts cardioprotection by inhibiting MyD88-dependent TLR4 signaling, reducing LPS-induced cardiac inflammation and oxidative stress in cellular models.
• Maulik SK, Wilson V, Seth S and others 2016. Clinical efficacy of water extract of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna (Roxb. ex DC.) Wight & Arn. in patients of chronic heart failure: a double-blind, randomized controlled trial. Phytomedicine : international journal of phytotherapy and phytopharmacology. PMID 26988798 · doi:10.1016/j.phymed.2016.02.007
  When added to standard pharmacotherapy in chronic heart failure for 12 weeks, Arjuna extract showed no significant change in LVEF but improved functional capacity, antioxidant reserves, and symptom-related quality of life. (Most recent large RCT available)

1 further claim previously listed here could not be traced to a published paper and has been removed. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• No serious side effects reported with arjuna therapy in clinical studies; long-term safety data still limited
• Adverse reactions similar to placebo: constipation, headache, abdominal discomfort, body ache
• Drug interaction WARNING: may potentiate anticoagulant effects of warfarin due to inherent antiplatelet and anticoagulant properties similar to aspirin
• Inhibits CYP3A4, CYP2D6, and CYP2C9 enzymes in human liver microsomes in vitro - caution with drugs metabolized by these enzymes
• In vivo pharmacokinetic study showed aqueous extract did not significantly alter pharmacokinetic parameters of probe substrates, suggesting in vitro findings may not fully translate
• High doses in animal studies associated with hepatotoxicity and hypothyroidism in rats
• Co-administration with statins, calcium channel blockers, and other CYP3A4 substrates requires medical supervision

Recommended Dosage

Bark powder: 3-6g/day (with milk or water); Ksheerapaka (milk decoction): 10-20ml twice daily

Safety, contraindications and cautions

• May potentiate cardiac medications
• Hypotension risk with antihypertensives
• Pregnancy (limited data)

What is it made of?

Part(s) Analyzed: Bark

Key Active Markers

• Arjunetin
• Tannins
• Flavonoids
• Luteolin
• Arjunolic acid
• Arjunic acid
• Arjungenin

Analytical Methods: HPLC fingerprinting, TLC (identity), LC-MS/MS (marker quantification)

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Churna (bark powder), Capsule, Tablet, Kashayam (decoction), Kshirapaka (milk decoction), Arishta (Arjunarishta — fermented), Ghana Vati (concentrated extract tablet)

Standard Dosage: 3-6g bark powder twice daily with milk; 500mg-1g extract capsule twice daily; 15-30ml Arjunarishta after meals; Kshirapaka: 3-6g boiled in milk

Bioavailability: Moderate oral bioavailability for arjunolic acid (major triterpene, ~8-12% bioavailability) and arjunic acid. Tannins (15-20%) are partially absorbed. Arjungenin is the active aglycone after glycoside hydrolysis. Kshirapaka (milk decoction) significantly enhances bioavailability — milk fat solubilizes triterpenes, and milk proteins prevent tannin-mediated precipitation. This is a classical example where anupana (vehicle) profoundly affects pharmacokinetics. Nanoparticle and phytosome formulations under development show 3-5x enhanced bioavailability.

Optimal Timing: Kshirapaka or powder with milk early morning and evening for cardiac support. Arjunarishta after meals. Continuous use for minimum 3-6 months recommended for cardiac benefits.

Standardized Extract: Bark extract standardized to minimum 15% total tannins (as gallic acid equivalent) and minimum 2% arjunolic acid. Triterpene-enriched extract: minimum 5% arjunolic acid + arjunic acid. 10:1 aqueous extract with minimum 20% tannins.

Shelf Life: 2 years (bark powder); 3 years (capsules/tablets); 5-10 years (Arjunarishta); 1 year (Kshirapaka, prepared fresh is best)

Storage: Bark powder in airtight containers, cool and dry place below 25°C. Arjunarishta in amber glass at room temperature — improves with age. Capsules with desiccant.

Marker Compounds: Arjunolic acid, Arjunic acid, Arjungenin, Arjunetin, Arjunaphthanol, Casuarinin, Gallic acid, Ellagic acid, Luteolin, Beta-sitosterol

Extraction Methods

• Aqueous decoction (1:8, reduced to 1/4)
• Kshirapaka (1 part herb: 8 parts milk: 32 parts water, reduced to milk volume)
• Hydroalcoholic extraction (70:30) for triterpene enrichment
• Supercritical CO2 for triterpene-enriched extract
• Standardized aqueous extract (spray-dried)

Synergistic Combinations

• With Ashwagandha for cardioprotection and stress management
• With Punarnava for heart failure and edema
• With Amalaki for antioxidant cardioprotection
• With Pushkaramoola for angina and cardiac arrhythmia
• With Guggulu for lipid management