Triterpene glycoside from Terminalia arjuna

A new triterpene glycoside, arjunetoside, together with oleanolic and arjunic acids has been isolated from the root bark of Terminalia arjuna. The structure of arjunetoside has been established as 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-2alpha,3beta, 19alpha-trihydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid, 28-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside by chemical and spectral data.     

A new triterpene glycoside from Terminalia arjuna

A new triterpene diglucoside terminolitin (23-deoxyarjunolitin) has been isolated from the fruits of Terminalia arjuna (Combretaceae) and was identified by IR, (1)H- and (13)C-NMR spectroscopy.     

A new fatty alcohol from Terminalia arjuna leaves with antileishmanial activity

A new fatty alcohol (1) together with ten known compounds was isolated from the leaves of Terminalia arjuna Roxb. Their chemical structures were established on the basis of physical, chemical, and spectroscopic methods to be identified as (E)-3,5,7,16 tetramethylheptadeca-2-en-1-ol (1), apigenin, luteolin, vitexin, isovitexin, luteolin-3′-glucuronide, gallic acid, methyl gallate, ellagic acid, stigmasterol, and β-sitosterol-3-O-glucoside. Apigenin, vitexin, and isovitexin were isolated for the first time from this species, while luteolin-3′-glucuronide was isolated for the first time from the genus Terminalia. Compound 1 and its acetate derivative (2) showed good antileishmanial activity with IC₅₀ values of 9.0 and 2.0 μg/mL, respectively.     

Mechanism of Cardiovascular Action of Terminalia arjuna.

TERMINALIA ARJUNA (Hindi name Arjuna, Family Combretacae) has been used in the treatment of cardiovascular disorders by Ayurvedic physicians. However, its properties have not been scientifically evaluated so far. Therefore, the present study was carried out to examine the underlying mechanism of the cardiovascular effects of aqueous solution of TERMINALIA ARJUNA extract. Intravenous (I. V.) administration of the extract was found to induce dose dependent decrease in blood pressure (B. P.) and heart rate (H. R.). These extracts also inhibited carotid occlusion response, without affecting the pressor responses, induced by intravenous injection of norepinephrine and by electrical stimulation of preganglionic fibres of the abdominal splanchnic nerve. Hypotension and bradycardia were also observed following the injection of the extract into the lateral cerebral ventricle and vertebral artery. The results of the present study show that the hypotensive and bradycardiac effects of T. ARJUNA are mainly of central origin.     

RP-LC determination of oleane derivatives in Terminalia arjuna

A rapid sensitive and reproductive reversed phase high performance liquid chromatographic method with photo diode arrray detection is described for the simultaneous quantification of major oleane derivatives: arjunic acid (4), arjunolic acid (3), arjungenin (2) and arjunetin (1) in Terminalia arjuna extract. The method involves the use of a Waters Spherisorb S10 ODS2 column (250 x 4.6 mm, I.D., 10 microm) and binary gradient mobile phase profile. The various other aspects of analysis viz. Extraction efficiency, peak purity and similarity were validated using a photo diode array detector.     

A new cardenolide from the seeds of Terminalia arjuna (W&A)

A new cardenolide 14,16 dianhydrogitoxigenin-3-O-β-D-xylopyranosyl (1 → 2)-O-β-D-galactopyranoside was isolated from the ethylacetate soluble fraction of the alcoholic extract of the seeds of Terminalia arjuna by various colour reactions, chemical degradations and spectral analysis.     

Effect of Terminalia arjuna on Experimental Hyperlipidemia in Rabbits

Hyperlipidemia was induced in rabbits by feeding them cholesterol. The effect of Terminalia arjuna, an indigenous hypolipidemic agent on the serum lipid and lipoprotein profile was studied. Hyperlipidemia produced an increase in cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride and reduced the level of HDL-cholesterol. T. arjuna treatment for three months altered the lipoprotein pattern by raising HDL-cholesterol and lowering LDL-cholesterol levels in the drug treated rabbits.     

A novel naphthanol glycoside from Terminalia arjuna with antioxidant and nitric oxide inhibitory activities

A novel naphthanol glycoside, arjunaphthanoloside (1), was isolated from the stem bark of Terminalia arjuna and its structure was established as 2,3,6,7,8,9-hexahydroxynaphthalene-2-O-alpha-L(-)-rhamnoside by means of spectroscopic and chemical methods. Compound 1 showed potent antioxidant activity and inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated rat peritoneal macrophages.     

Antiherpes simplex virus type 2 activity of casuarinin from the bark of Terminalia arjuna Linn

Casuarinin, a hydrolyzable tannin isolated from the bark of Terminalia arjuna Linn. (Combretaceae), was investigated for its antiviral activity on herpes simplex type 2 (HSV-2) in vitro. Results showed that the IC(50) of casuarinin in XTT and plaque reduction assays were 3.6+/-0.9 and 1.5+/-0.2 microM, respectively. The 50% cytotoxic concentration for cell growth (CC(50)) was 89+/-1 microM. Thus, the selectivity index (SI) (ratio of CC(50) to IC(50)) of casuarinin was 25 and 59 for XTT and plaque reduction assays, respectively. Casuarinin continued to exhibit antiviral activity even added 12 h after infection. During the attachment assay, casuarinin was shown to prevent the attachment of HSV-2 to cells. Furthermore, casuarinin also exhibited an activity in inhibiting the viral penetration. Interestingly, casuarinin was virucidal at a concentration of 25 microM, reducing viral titers up to 100,000-fold. This study concludes that casuarinin possesses anti-herpesvirus activity in inhibiting viral attachment and penetration, and also disturbing the late event(s) of infection.     

Antimutagenic activities of acetone and methanol fractions of Terminalia arjuna.

The antimutagenic effect of benzene, chloroform, acetone and methanol fractions from Terminalia arjuna, a well-known medicinal plant, was determined against Acid Black dye, 2-aminofluorene (2AF) and 4-nitro-o-phenylenediamine (NPD) in TA98 Frameshift mutagen tester strain of Salmonella typhimurium. Among the different fractions, the antimutagenic effect of acetone and methanol fractions was more than that observed with other fractions. Co-incubation and pre-incubation modes of experimentation did not show much difference in the antimutagenic activity of the extracts. Moreover, these fractions inhibited the S9-dependent mutagens, 2AF and Acid Black dye more effectively than the direct-acting mutagens. Studies are under way to isolate and elucidate the nature of the antimutagenic factor in acetone and methanol fractions.     

In vitro Evaluation of Terminalia arjuna on Calcium Phosphate and Calcium Oxalate Crystallization

Urinary stones are one of the oldest and the most common afflictions in humans. This disease has tormented humans since the earliest records of civilization. Ten percent of men and 3 % of women have a stone during their adult lives. Calcium containing stones are the most common comprising about 75 % of all urinary calculi, which may be in the form of pure calcium oxalate (50 %) or calcium phosphate (5 %) or a mixture of both (45 %). A number of plants have been mentioned in the Indian ayurvedic system, which plays a vital role in the inhibition of kidney stones. In the present study, the inhibitory potency of crude extracts or fractions of successive solvent extractions of Terminalia arjuna bark was evaluated on various stages of formation of calcium phosphate and on the growth of calcium oxalate monohydrate crystals in vitro. Results obtained indicated that Terminalia arjuna bark has the potential to inhibit the formation of both calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate crystals in vitro. Butanol fraction of Terminalia arjuna extract was the most effective in inhibiting formation of calcium phosphate and calcium oxalate crystals in vitro.     

Antibacterial Effects of the Bark of Terminalia arjuna: Justification of Folklore Beliefs

Antibacterial activity of crude drug from the tree bark of T. arjuna was tested against bacteria using the hole-plate diffusion method with concentrations of 5–25 mg/ml. The effective results of bacterial activity were confirmed by the dilution method (1.25–20 mg/ml) in MIC. The above results were supported by phytochemical analysis. Specific activity against pathogenic bacterium, Bacillus subtilis and Staphyloccus aureus, confirm the traditional usage of bark of T. arjuna.     

Effect of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna.) Extract on Tissue Lead Levels in Rats

Abstract

The prophylactic efficacy of arjuna (Terminalia arjuna. L.) extract to reduce tissue lead (-Pb) concentration was evaluated experimentally in rats. Thirty female rats were divided into five groups, with group A as the control. Rats of groups B, C, D, and E received lead acetate orally at the rate of 5 mg per kg body weight daily for 6 weeks. The arjuna extract was tried in three doses, viz., 50 mg (low), 100 mg (medium), and 200 mg (high) per kg body weight orally and given simultaneously with Pb salt to the rats of groups C, D, and E, respectively. Mean blood Pb concentration in Pb-exposed rats ranged between 0.13 ± 0.02 and 0.96 ± 0.06 µg/ml, whereas in arjuna-treated rats, the range was between 0.15 ± 0.02 and 0.94 ± 0.06, 0.17 ± 0.01 and 0.77 ± 0.06, and 0.13 ± 0.1 and 0.51 ± 0.07 µg/ml in low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, respectively. The mean Pb concentration in liver, kidneys, brain, and bone of Pb-exposed rats was 2.289 ± 0.206, 4.748 ± 0.609, 1.019 ± 0.10, and 44.075 ± 2.60 µg/g, respectively. Concomitant use of arjuna bark extract at three different doses was found to reduce Pb concentration considerably in these vital organs indicating the potential therapeutic activity of arjuna against lead toxicity.     

Cardio-protective role of Terminalia arjuna bark extract is possibly mediated through alterations in thyroid hormones

Terminalia arjuna bark extract is believed to exhibit cardio-protective effects. In the present study we investigated the possible involvement of thyroid hormones in the amelioration of cardiac and hepatic lipid peroxidation (LPO) by a bark extract of the plant in albino rats. While L-thyroxine (L-T4) treatment increased the level of thyroid hormones, heart/body weight ratio as well as cardiac and hepatic lipid peroxidation, simultaneous administration of 21.42 and 42.84 mg/kg of the plant extract decreased the level of thyroid hormones and also the cardiac LPO, suggesting the possible mediation of the drug action through an inhibition in thyroid function. These effects were comparable to a standard antithyroid drug, propyl thiouracil (PTU). When the drug was administered to euthyroid animals, serum concentrations of thyroid hormones were decreased, whereas the hepatic LPO increased indicating a drug induced toxicity in euthyroid subjects. Although a suboptimal dose of the drug was found to be non-toxic to the liver, it appeared to be of no use, as it could neither affect the thyroid functions nor the cardiac lipid peroxidation. Since in euthyroid animals, thyroid hormones were decreased and hepatic LPO was increased, it is suggested that high amounts of this plant extract should not be consumed, as hepatotoxicity as well as hypothyroidism may be caused.     

Terminoside A,a new triterpene glycoside from the bark of Terminalia arjuna inhibits nitric oxide production in murine macrophages

Terminoside A (1), a new oleanane-type triterpene was isolated from the acetone fraction of the ethanolic extract of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna. The structure was established as olean-1alpha,3beta,22beta-triol-12-en-28-oic acid-3beta-D-glucopyranoside. On the basis of spectral data and chemical reactions, terminoside A, potently inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages.     

Casuarinin from the bark of Terminalia arjuna induces apoptosis and cell cycle arrest in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells

Casuarinin, a hydrolyzable tannin isolated from the bark of Terminalia arjuna L. (Combretaceae), was investigated for its antiproliferative activity in human breast adenocarcinoma MCF-7 cells. The results showed that casuarinin inhibited the proliferation of MCF-7 by blocking cell cycle progression in the G0/G1 phase and inducing apoptosis. An enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that casuarinin increased the expression of p21/WAF1 concomitantly as the MCF-7 cells underwent G0/G1 arrest. An enhancement in Fas/APO-1 and its two forms of ligands, membrane-bound Fas ligand (mFasL) and soluble Fas ligand (sFasL), might be responsible for the apoptotic effect induced by casuarinin. Our study reports here for the first time that the induction of p21/WAF1 and the activity of Fas/Fas ligand apoptotic system may participate in the antiproliferative activity of casuarinin in MCF-7 cells.     

Terminoside A,a new triterpene glycoside from the bark of Terminalia arjuna inhibits nitric oxide production in murine macrophages

Terminoside A (1), a new oleanane-type triterpene was isolated from the acetone fraction of the ethanolic extract of stem bark of Terminalia arjuna. The structure was established as olean-1α,3β,22β-triol-12-en-28-oic acid-3β-D-glucopyranoside. On the basis of spectral data and chemical reactions, terminoside A, potently inhibited nitric oxide (NO) production and decreased inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) levels in lipopolysaccharide-stimulated macrophages.     

Effect of methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna against Helicobacter pylori 26695 lipopolysaccharide-induced gastric ulcer in rats

Helicobacter pylori lipopolysaccharide (HP-LPS) is a potent virulence factor in the causation of gastric ulcer and gastritis. H. pylori-induced gastric pathology is prevalent throughout the world. Herbal medicines are attracting attention because of their traditional values, popularity and belief, as well as for their advantages such as less toxicity, affordability and medicinal value. The present study aimed to evaluate the anti-ulcer effect of a methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna (TA) against HP-LPS-induced gastric damage in rats. Ulcers were induced with HP-LPS (50 mug per animal) administered orally daily for 3 days. The efficacy of TA on gastric secretory parameters such as volume of gastric juice, pH, free and total acidity, pepsin concentration, and the cytoprotective parameters such as protein-bound carbohydrate complexes in gastric juice and gastric mucosa was assessed. The protective effect of TA was also confirmed by histopathological examination of gastric mucosa. HP-LPS-induced alterations in gastric secretory parameters were altered favourably in rats treated with TA, suggesting that TA has an anti-secretory role. Furthermore, HP-LPS-induced impairments in gastric defence factors were also prevented by treatment with TA. These results suggest that the severe cellular damage and pathological changes caused by HP-LPS are mitigated by TA; these effects are comparable with those of sucralfate. The anti-ulcer effect of TA may reflect its ability to combat factors that damage the gastric mucosa, and to protect the mucosal defensive factors.