TERMINALIA ARJUNA (ROXB. ex DC.) WIGHT & ARN. A CULTIVATED SHADE-PLANT WITH GREAT CHEMICAL AND THERAPEUTIC ATTRIBUTES

A methanolic extract of Terminalia arjuna was subjected to GC-MS analysis, elemental and proximate analysis, antibacterial and antifungal testing, and SEM examination of the stem, bark, and leaves. GC-MS analysis identified approximately 100 notable compounds across different retention times. Elemental analysis revealed the presence of C, N, O, Mg, Si, Cl, K, and Ca. Proximate analysis determined high levels of dry matter, crude ash, protein, lipids, fiber, moisture, and nitrogen-free extract in the tested plant parts. The extracts exhibited antibacterial activity against Bacillus subtilis, Salmonella typhi, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, and antifungal activity against Aspergillus niger, A. terreus, A. solani, and Alternaria alternata. The stem extract demonstrated stronger antibacterial activity than the bark and leaf extracts, though it was less effective than standard drugs (ampicillin and voriconazole). SEM studies revealed diverse microscopic structures, including fiber bundles, pitted vessels, stomata, and calcium oxalate crystals. Overall, these findings provide valuable insights into the elemental, nutritional, and antimicrobial properties of Terminalia arjuna, highlighting its potential therapeutic applications.