COMPARATIVE PHARMACOGNOSTIC PROFILES OF KERALA MARKET SAMPLES OF TERMINALIA ARJUNA ROXB.EX.DC (WIGHT & ARN) [ARJUNA], AN AYURVEDIC CARDIOPROTECTIVE DRUG

Abstract

The drug Arjuna in Ayurveda, identified as Terminalia arjuna Roxb.ex.DC (Wight &Arn) of Combretaceae family has gained much importance in the recent times as a potent cardio protective drug. The drug is given the near threatened status by the Foundation for Revitalisation of Local Health Traditions, Bengaluru, being included in the list of 178 prioritized species in high trade with annual trade of over 100 metric tonnes. The doubt of adulteration led to the present study to screen the drug Terminalia arjuna Roxb.ex.DC (Wight &Arn) by collecting the samples from the raw drug markets of Kerala using the tools of pharmacognosy.