Ischemic Heart Disease and Arjuna Herb
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Vasu Healthcare Pvt
Jun 30, 2010, 6:01:40 AM6/30/10
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Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) and Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD)
Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is a leading cause of morbidity
and mortality. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly IHD, has
become a worldwide health problem affecting all economic groups of
society and is responsible for 25% of all deaths in the world. The
mortality due to CVD ranges from 16 to 50% in the developing and
developed countries. Because 78% of all deaths in the world occur in
the developing countries, the absolute number of deaths is very high
in these areas. Due to such high incidence, IHD is now considered a
modern epidemic.
Definition:
In Ayurveda, IHD or hridroga , is clinically characterized by chest
pain produced by increased workload on the heart. The pain is felt
mostly over the sternum. The pain spreads toward the left side of the
chest and radiates to the left arm, neck, and upper part of the
abdomen. There are several types depending upon the characteristic
features of the pain.
In modern medicine, IHD is characterized by the atherosclerotic
narrowing of the lumen of coronary arteries and reduction in the blood
flow to the heart muscle. The symptoms described are the same as
described in Ayurveda. There may be a burning sensation in the chest
radiating to the arms, back, abdomen, and jaw; there may also be a
pressure — a feeling of tightness within the chest or a feeling of
heaviness. These symptoms arise under physical or emotional exertion;
later on they appear in the resting state.
Considering the huge burden of IHD management, there has been a
continuous attempt to develop drugs that will delay the development
and halt the progress of the disease. In this regard, there is great
potential for identifying outstanding Ayurvedic components or its
active principles, especially in consideration of the fact that such
substances may provide maximum benefit with cost effectiveness,
minimum side effects, and enhancement of patient compliance.
Terminalia arjuna (Arjuna) – Heart Tonic
Terminalia arjuna is an herb that has proven its worth in heart
related illness. No matter what kind of heart disease a person suffers
from, it is given blindly in any of the heart diseases to derive
benefit. Arjuna is powerful heart stimulant, which has a sure shot
effect on heart ailments.
Role of Arjuna in heart related disorders:
● By regular use of Arjuna it has been seen that it provides a
significant cardiac protection in myocardial infarction commonly known
as heart attack. Arjuna bark is rich in Co-enzyme Q-10 which is
prescribed to prevent heart attack.
● It has also been found that it helps in vasodilatation of blood
vessels in chronic smokers.
It has been seen that Arjuna is of great benefit in lowering
cholesterol levels and then maintain it to normal levels.
● Wonderful results have also been seen in patients suffering from
ischemic heart disease.
● It has also proved its presence in patients who suffers from
angina.
● Significant decrease in blood pressure has also been seen in
patients who suffer from hypertension and by regular use of Arjuna has
derived great benefits out of it
● It nourishes heart muscles, which is very helpful in regular
expansion and contraction of heart.
● It helps in both vasoconstriction as well as vasodilatation that
make the vessels flexible there by making it very much helpful for
proper functioning of circulatory system.
● It helps in marinating normal density of blood thereby avoiding all
the risk factors to heart.
● It helps in marinating normal density of blood thereby avoiding all
the risk factors to heart.
The bark of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) is useful as an anti-ischemic
and cardio protective agent in hypertension (High blood pressure) and
in ischemic heart illness (IHD), particularly in uneasy cardiac
rhythm, angina or myocardial infarction. Terminalia arjuna is an only
herb that helps uphold a healthy heart and decrease the effects of
stress and anxiety. Arjuna as best remedy for the heart related
diseases but also considered as a divine Ayurvedic medicine for the
heart related diseases.
Research on Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
Animal Study:
T. arjuna has been a major treatment for IHD in Ayurveda.
Because anticoagulants have been found useful in IHD, T. arjuna was
investigated for a possible anticoagulant activity. An emulsion of T.
arjuna bark powder (10 g/kg) was given to rabbits orally for 7 days at
the dosage of 10 g/kg body weight1-3.
Clinical Study:
Its bark is anti-ischemic, cardiac protective and cardio-tonic.
Efficacy of T. arjuna is established by a double blind, placebo
controlled study in Chronic Stable Angina. Its bark extract in the
dosage of 500 mg four times a day caused improvement in clinical and
treadmill exercise parameters as compared to placebo. The benefits
were found to be comparable with Isosorbide mononitrate (40 mg per
day) and with good tolerance. Digitalis or nitroglycerine only
strengthen and restores heart beat with no nutritive effect on the
heart muscle itself.
T. arjuna was tested in 30 patients with stable angina
pectoris. These patients were administered 25 mg/kg body weight dose
of T. arjuna bark powder divided into three doses per day. The mean
anginal frequency by the end of 3 months had declined (1.57 ± 1.28 vs.
3.47 ± 1.04/day). By the end of 1 month, 10% of patients did not
require sublingual nitrate. There was concurrent reduction in systolic
blood pressure (p < 0.001) without much change in the diastolic blood
pressure. Electrocardiographic improvement in terms of reduction in
the depth of Q- and T-waves and changes in ST segment configuration,
decrease in heart rate, and correction of rhythm disturbance
(particularly ventricular premature contraction) was also noted.
Biochemical parameters, such as plasma catecholamines, plasma
cortisol, blood sugar, and serum cholesterol had declined. A
significant reduction in body weight was also evident4.
References:
1 Chaturvedi, P.N., A Study on the Effect of an Indigenous Drug Arjuna
(Terminalia arjuna W & A) on arterial thrombosis and ischemic heart
disease, thesis (Doctor of AyurvedicMedicine), Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi, U.P., India, 1967.
2 Gupta, L.P., Sen, S.P., and Udupa, K.N., Pharmacognostical and
pharmacological studies on Terminalia arjuna, J. Res. Indian Med. Yoga
Homeopathy, 11, 16, 1976.
3 Wahal, P.K., A preliminary report on the inhibitory effect of Abana
on platelet aggregation and adhesiveness in cases of coronary heart
disease and hypertension, Probe, 30, 312, 1991.
4 Dwivedi, S. and Udupa, N., Terminalia arjuna: pharmacogonosy,
phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical use: a review, Fitoterapia,
60, 413, 1989.
Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD) is a leading cause of morbidity
and mortality. Cardiovascular disease (CVD), particularly IHD, has
become a worldwide health problem affecting all economic groups of
society and is responsible for 25% of all deaths in the world. The
mortality due to CVD ranges from 16 to 50% in the developing and
developed countries. Because 78% of all deaths in the world occur in
the developing countries, the absolute number of deaths is very high
in these areas. Due to such high incidence, IHD is now considered a
modern epidemic.
Definition:
In Ayurveda, IHD or hridroga , is clinically characterized by chest
pain produced by increased workload on the heart. The pain is felt
mostly over the sternum. The pain spreads toward the left side of the
chest and radiates to the left arm, neck, and upper part of the
abdomen. There are several types depending upon the characteristic
features of the pain.
In modern medicine, IHD is characterized by the atherosclerotic
narrowing of the lumen of coronary arteries and reduction in the blood
flow to the heart muscle. The symptoms described are the same as
described in Ayurveda. There may be a burning sensation in the chest
radiating to the arms, back, abdomen, and jaw; there may also be a
pressure — a feeling of tightness within the chest or a feeling of
heaviness. These symptoms arise under physical or emotional exertion;
later on they appear in the resting state.
Considering the huge burden of IHD management, there has been a
continuous attempt to develop drugs that will delay the development
and halt the progress of the disease. In this regard, there is great
potential for identifying outstanding Ayurvedic components or its
active principles, especially in consideration of the fact that such
substances may provide maximum benefit with cost effectiveness,
minimum side effects, and enhancement of patient compliance.
Terminalia arjuna (Arjuna) – Heart Tonic
Terminalia arjuna is an herb that has proven its worth in heart
related illness. No matter what kind of heart disease a person suffers
from, it is given blindly in any of the heart diseases to derive
benefit. Arjuna is powerful heart stimulant, which has a sure shot
effect on heart ailments.
Role of Arjuna in heart related disorders:
● By regular use of Arjuna it has been seen that it provides a
significant cardiac protection in myocardial infarction commonly known
as heart attack. Arjuna bark is rich in Co-enzyme Q-10 which is
prescribed to prevent heart attack.
● It has also been found that it helps in vasodilatation of blood
vessels in chronic smokers.
It has been seen that Arjuna is of great benefit in lowering
cholesterol levels and then maintain it to normal levels.
● Wonderful results have also been seen in patients suffering from
ischemic heart disease.
● It has also proved its presence in patients who suffers from
angina.
● Significant decrease in blood pressure has also been seen in
patients who suffer from hypertension and by regular use of Arjuna has
derived great benefits out of it
● It nourishes heart muscles, which is very helpful in regular
expansion and contraction of heart.
● It helps in both vasoconstriction as well as vasodilatation that
make the vessels flexible there by making it very much helpful for
proper functioning of circulatory system.
● It helps in marinating normal density of blood thereby avoiding all
the risk factors to heart.
● It helps in marinating normal density of blood thereby avoiding all
the risk factors to heart.
The bark of Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna) is useful as an anti-ischemic
and cardio protective agent in hypertension (High blood pressure) and
in ischemic heart illness (IHD), particularly in uneasy cardiac
rhythm, angina or myocardial infarction. Terminalia arjuna is an only
herb that helps uphold a healthy heart and decrease the effects of
stress and anxiety. Arjuna as best remedy for the heart related
diseases but also considered as a divine Ayurvedic medicine for the
heart related diseases.
Research on Arjuna (Terminalia arjuna):
Animal Study:
T. arjuna has been a major treatment for IHD in Ayurveda.
Because anticoagulants have been found useful in IHD, T. arjuna was
investigated for a possible anticoagulant activity. An emulsion of T.
arjuna bark powder (10 g/kg) was given to rabbits orally for 7 days at
the dosage of 10 g/kg body weight1-3.
Clinical Study:
Its bark is anti-ischemic, cardiac protective and cardio-tonic.
Efficacy of T. arjuna is established by a double blind, placebo
controlled study in Chronic Stable Angina. Its bark extract in the
dosage of 500 mg four times a day caused improvement in clinical and
treadmill exercise parameters as compared to placebo. The benefits
were found to be comparable with Isosorbide mononitrate (40 mg per
day) and with good tolerance. Digitalis or nitroglycerine only
strengthen and restores heart beat with no nutritive effect on the
heart muscle itself.
T. arjuna was tested in 30 patients with stable angina
pectoris. These patients were administered 25 mg/kg body weight dose
of T. arjuna bark powder divided into three doses per day. The mean
anginal frequency by the end of 3 months had declined (1.57 ± 1.28 vs.
3.47 ± 1.04/day). By the end of 1 month, 10% of patients did not
require sublingual nitrate. There was concurrent reduction in systolic
blood pressure (p < 0.001) without much change in the diastolic blood
pressure. Electrocardiographic improvement in terms of reduction in
the depth of Q- and T-waves and changes in ST segment configuration,
decrease in heart rate, and correction of rhythm disturbance
(particularly ventricular premature contraction) was also noted.
Biochemical parameters, such as plasma catecholamines, plasma
cortisol, blood sugar, and serum cholesterol had declined. A
significant reduction in body weight was also evident4.
References:
1 Chaturvedi, P.N., A Study on the Effect of an Indigenous Drug Arjuna
(Terminalia arjuna W & A) on arterial thrombosis and ischemic heart
disease, thesis (Doctor of AyurvedicMedicine), Banaras Hindu
University, Varanasi, U.P., India, 1967.
2 Gupta, L.P., Sen, S.P., and Udupa, K.N., Pharmacognostical and
pharmacological studies on Terminalia arjuna, J. Res. Indian Med. Yoga
Homeopathy, 11, 16, 1976.
3 Wahal, P.K., A preliminary report on the inhibitory effect of Abana
on platelet aggregation and adhesiveness in cases of coronary heart
disease and hypertension, Probe, 30, 312, 1991.
4 Dwivedi, S. and Udupa, N., Terminalia arjuna: pharmacogonosy,
phytochemistry, pharmacology and clinical use: a review, Fitoterapia,
60, 413, 1989.
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