An extract from the Indian tree Terminalia arjuna significantly increased cardiovascular efficiency and improved the cardiac conditioning in young healthy male adults, according to research published in the American Journal of Therapeutics.

Oxyjun is a proprietary extract, standardized to polyphenols and glycosides used in the study. It was developed by Enovate Biolife and was supplied by IN Ingredients. Prinova is the exclusive North American distributor for all of IN’s trademarked ingredients, including Cinnulin PF, Lanconone and Clock.

The researchers, Robert Girandola, EdD, from the University of Southern California, Los Angeles and Shalini Srivastava, from Enovate Biolife, Wilmington, DE, developed a double-blind randomized trial with 32 health males.

The researchers hypothesized that Terminalia arjuna, which has a history of cardiovascular benefits, could be used to extend cardiac performance and safely allow people to exercise for longer time periods with less fatigue. Therefore, a double-blind randomized trial with 32 healthy male subjects was developed. Each subject was given either 400 mg of Oxyjun or placebo. The exercise protocol involved a one-minute warm up at three miles per hour followed by an increase of 2% and one mile per hour increase in grade and speed, respectively, every three minutes until the subjects volunteered that the exercise was too difficult to continue.

The researchers then assessed the left ventricular ejection facture, right ventricular myocardial performance index, and Borg Rated Perceived Exertion (RPE) at baseline, day 28, and day 56. Cardiac biomarkers creatine kinase enzyme and cardiac troponin-T were assessed, two biomarkers considered gold standards for cardiomyocyte insult.

At 56 days supplementation, the Oxyjun group reported that the exercise conducted was easier and less stressful than the placebo group. The Oxyjun group experienced significant improvement in cardiac conditioning during their exercise, which was associated with improvement of the measured exercise performance.

Extracts from Terminalia arjuna have been used in India for centuries to support cardiovascular health. Terminalia arjuna has been long thought to have medicinal properties but its safety and efficacy has not been thoroughly studied in the U.S.

According to a review published by the Journal of Traditional and Complementary Medicine, most of the studies of Terminalia arjuna have suggested that it provides antioxidant benefits, as well as support to the blood vessels and blood lipids.

“Based on the findings of the study, we deduce that the E-OJ-01 (TA extract as Oxyjun) improved various central factors for physical endurance such as left ventricular ejection fraction, time to exhaustion and Borg RPE score. It also decreases RV-MPI, which is an important determinant for cardiac musculature size. With the increase in the cardiac output as well as a reduction in MPI, it is expected that VO2 max levels would also be increased. Additional cardiac biomarkers showed normal levels throughout the study. This study successfully demonstrates the extract’s ability to enhance the performance and protect the heart in young exercising adults,” said Dr. Girandola.