Arjuna
Research reviewed: Up until 03/2026
Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) is a dietary supplement with 14 published peer-reviewed studies involving 562 participants, researched for Cardiovascular & Heart Health, Lipids, Anti-inflammatory & Other, Systematic reviews.
Evidence at a Glance
Strength is scored by study design, sample size, study type, and outcomes
Cardiovascular & Heart Health
StrongLipids, Anti-inflammatory & Other
ModerateSystematic reviews
WeakResearch Visualised
Visual breakdown of the clinical data.
Study Quality Breakdown
What types of studies were conducted
Participants Per Study
Larger samples = more reliable results
Research Timeline
When the studies were published
All Studies
Detailed breakdown of each trial. Click to expand.
Cardiovascular & Heart Health
Antianginal and cardioprotective effects of T. arjuna in stable angina
Study Type
Double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trial
Purpose
Antianginal and cardioprotective effects of T. arjuna in stable angina
Dose
500mg bark extract 3x/day
Participants
58 stable angina patients
Duration
3 months
Results
Significantly reduced anginal episodes, improved exercise tolerance, and reduced GTN consumption versus placebo. NYHA class improvements observed.
How They Measured It
Exercise treadmill test, NYHA class, anginal attacks, GTN consumption
Efficacy of T. arjuna in stable angina (SETCA trial)
Study Type
RCT
Purpose
Efficacy of T. arjuna in stable angina (SETCA trial)
Dose
500mg bark powder 3x/day
Participants
40 stable angina patients
Duration
3 months crossover
Results
Significantly improved exercise tolerance and reduced angina frequency. Effects comparable to isosorbide mononitrate in this crossover design.
How They Measured It
Exercise treadmill test, angina frequency, GTN use
T. arjuna transition from traditional to modern cardiovascular medicine
Study Type
Review
Purpose
T. arjuna transition from traditional to modern cardiovascular medicine
Dose
Various
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Extensive evidence for positive inotropic, anti-ischaemic, hypolipidaemic, and antioxidant effects. Multiple clinical trials confirm anti-anginal benefits. Tannins, saponins, flavonoids as cardioprotective bioactives.
How They Measured It
Review of clinical and experimental cardiovascular evidence
T. arjuna in chronic heart failure patients on standard therapy
Study Type
Clinical trial
Purpose
T. arjuna in chronic heart failure patients on standard therapy
Dose
500mg bark extract 3x/day
Participants
40 NYHA class II-III heart failure patients
Duration
3 months
Results
Significant improvements in LVEF, 6-minute walk distance, and NYHA class. Echocardiographic parameters confirmed real cardiac benefit.
How They Measured It
NYHA class, 6-min walk test, echocardiography (LVEF, LV dimensions)
Lipids, Anti-inflammatory & Other
T. arjuna anti-inflammatory effects in stable CAD patients
Study Type
In vitro and in vivo study
Purpose
T. arjuna anti-inflammatory effects in stable CAD patients
Dose
500mg bark extract 3x/day
Participants
30 stable CAD patients
Duration
4 weeks
Results
Significantly attenuated ongoing inflammation and immune imbalance measured by reductions in CRP, IL-6, and TNF-alpha in CAD patients.
How They Measured It
CRP, IL-6, TNF-alpha, CD4/CD8 ratio
Antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of T. arjuna
Study Type
Antioxidant and lipid clinical trial
Purpose
Antioxidant and hypocholesterolaemic effects of T. arjuna
Dose
500mg bark powder daily
Participants
50 hypercholesterolaemic patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant reductions in total cholesterol and LDL; HDL increased. Antioxidant enzyme activity improved. Combined anti-atherogenic and antioxidant effects.
How They Measured It
Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, TG; SOD, catalase, GSH
Revisiting T. arjuna as ancient cardiovascular drug with modern evidence
Study Type
Systematic review
Purpose
Revisiting T. arjuna as ancient cardiovascular drug with modern evidence
Dose
Various
Participants
Review
Duration
Various
Results
Arjunolic acid, arjunetin, arjunin with cardioprotective mechanisms: positive inotropy, antioxidant, anti-atherogenic, antiplatelet. Multiple RCTs confirm anti-anginal and heart failure benefits.
How They Measured It
Systematic review of experimental and clinical data
Effect of T. arjuna on blood pressure as add-on therapy
Study Type
Antihypertensive study
Purpose
Effect of T. arjuna on blood pressure as add-on therapy
Dose
500mg 3x/day
Participants
50 hypertensive patients
Duration
12 weeks
Results
Significant additional reductions in systolic and diastolic BP beyond standard medication alone. Tolerability was good.
How They Measured It
24-hour ABPM, pulse rate
Protective effect of T. arjuna against catecholamine-induced myocardial fibrosis
Study Type
Myocardial fibrosis study
Purpose
Protective effect of T. arjuna against catecholamine-induced myocardial fibrosis
Dose
Bark extract 300mg/kg
Participants
Catecholamine toxicity animal model
Duration
14 days
Results
Significantly attenuated myocardial fibrosis and oxidative stress. Antifibrotic mechanism via TGF-beta1 suppression identified.
How They Measured It
Cardiac fibrosis markers, hydroxyproline content, TGF-beta1
Antiplatelet activity of T. arjuna bark extract
Study Type
Platelet aggregation study
Purpose
Antiplatelet activity of T. arjuna bark extract
Dose
100-200mg/kg extract
Participants
In vitro and animal study
Duration
Acute
Results
Significantly inhibited all three platelet aggregation pathways. Activity comparable to aspirin. Antiplatelet mechanism supports cardiovascular protective effects.
How They Measured It
ADP, collagen, arachidonic acid-induced platelet aggregation
Systematic reviews
To investigate the effects of Arjuna in accuracy of ct hounsfield units for predicting cage subsidence and pedicle screw loosening after lumbar interbody fusion: a systematic review and meta
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Arjuna in accuracy of ct hounsfield units for predicting cage subsidence and pedicle screw loosening after lumbar interbody fusion: a systematic review and meta
Dose
Arjuna (dose not specified)
Participants
294 participants
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
ality. HU values are reliable predictors of CS and PSL after LIF, with stronger accuracy for CS, that may serve as a practical tool in preoperative planning to identify high-risk patients and reduce complication rates. However, the retrospective nature and methodological variability among included studies may affect generalizability, that warrants for further large scale, prospective studies.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Arjuna in application of rhbmp in spinal fusion surgery: any correlation of cancer incidence? a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Arjuna in application of rhbmp in spinal fusion surgery: any correlation of cancer incidence? a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Dose
Arjuna (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
Safety concerns regarding the application of bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) have been highlighted in recent years. It is noted that both BMP and their receptors being identified as a trigger for cancer growth. Here, we aimed to determine the safety and efficacy of BMP for spinal fusion surgery.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Arjuna in the safety and efficacy of anti-inflammatory-impregnated gelatin sponge in spine surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Arjuna in the safety and efficacy of anti-inflammatory-impregnated gelatin sponge in spine surgery: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Dose
Arjuna (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
6; p=0.05). However, no significant difference was observed in the disability index (MD, -0.59; 95% CI, -1.88 to -0.70; p=0.37). The use of anti-inflammatory-impregnated gelatin sponges during spine surgeries decreases postoperative back pain and leg pain, reduces length of stay, and improves neurological function. Larger, prospective, randomized trials are required to obtain more robust evidence.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
To investigate the effects of Arjuna in effects of plant extracts on patients with heart failure: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Study Type
Systematic review and meta-analysis
Purpose
To investigate the effects of Arjuna in effects of plant extracts on patients with heart failure: a network meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Dose
Arjuna (dose not specified)
Participants
Participants not specified
Duration
Duration not specified
Results
Heart failure (HF) is a major global health challenge. Traditional therapies have limitations, while recent studies highlight plant extracts' potential due to their medicinal properties and milder side effects.
How They Measured It
See study for outcome measures
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about Arjuna research
There are currently 14 peer-reviewed studies on Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna), involving 562 total participants. Research covers Cardiovascular & Heart Health, Lipids, Anti-inflammatory & Other, Systematic reviews. The overall evidence strength is rated as Strong.
The evidence is currently rated as "Strong Evidence". This rating is based on study design quality (randomisation, blinding, placebo controls), sample sizes, study types (6 human studies), and reported outcomes.
Arjuna has been researched for: Cardiovascular & Heart Health, Lipids, Anti-inflammatory & Other, Systematic reviews. Each area has its own body of evidence which you can explore in the study breakdowns above.
Yes, 6 out of 14 studies are human trials. Human trials carry more weight in our evidence scoring system.
Similar Supplements
Other supplements researched for similar health goals
