Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook. F. & Thoms (Menispermaceae)

Abstract

A large, perennial, deciduous, climbing herbaceous vine, that is distributed throughout India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and China. In Ayurveda, it is mentioned as rasayan and is traditionally used for the treatment of asthma, chronic cough, to improve immune system, as a general tonic, antiperiodic in fevers, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, antiarthritic and antidiabetic agent, and is also credited with aphrodisiac property. Fresh plant is said to be more efficient than the dried one. It is taken with milk in rheumatism, acidity of the urine and dyspepsia. The stem of this very bitter herbaceous vine is used medicinally in Unani medicine as a bitter tonic, astringent, stomachic, anthelmintic, blood purifier, diuretic, and antipyretic for all types of fevers, including tuberculous fever. Water extracted from fresh plant is more potent. It is also used for chronic diarrhea, and in diseases, such as syphilis, and leprosy. In the Philippines and Malaysia, this is the most popular medicinal plant, and is considered a universal medicine. Its aqueous extract is used as a remedy for stomach trouble, indigestion and diarrhea. A preparation with coconut oil is considered an effective cure for rheumatism and for flatulence in children. Various constituents, such as alkaloids, diterpenoid lactones, cardiac glycosides, steroids, sesquiterpenoid, phenolics, aliphatic compounds and polysaccharides have been reported from the plant. The yield and physicochemical profile of the starchy material extracted from stem used in Ayurvedic preparations vary due to the plant stem size, collection time, season and maturity of the plant. Total alkaloidal contents are a bit higher in rainy and spring seasons. Aqueous, alcohol and chloroform extracts exerted significant hypoglycemic and antihyperglycemic effects in normal and diabetic animals. Aqueous extract significantly stimulates glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 adipocytes, comparable to insulin and greater than pioglitazone. Aqueous extract also prevented hyperalgesia of diabetic neuropathy, and inhibited aldose reductase. Ethanol extract of aerial parts offered significant neuroprotection against 6-OHDA-induced Parkinson's disease-like lesions in rat model, and decreased locomotor activity but did not affect amphetamine-induced hyperactivity in mice.