TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA: CHEMISTRY AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES
Indian Journal of Pharmacology 2003; 35: 83-91
EDUCATIONAL FORUM
CHEMISTRY AND MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA
(GUDUCHI)
S.S. SINGH, S.C. PANDEY, S. SRIVASTAVA, V.S. GUPTA, B. PATRO,
A.C. GHOSH
Chembiotek Research International, Block-BN, Plot-7, Sector-V, Salt Lake Electronic Complex,
Kolkata-700 091.
Manuscript Received: 7.5.2002
Revised: 5.9.2002
Accepted: 9.9.2002
Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi) is a widely used shrub in folk and ayurvedic systems of medicine. This
review presents a detailed survey of the literature on chemistry and medicinal properties of Tinospora
cordifolia. The chemical constituents reported from this shrub belong to different classes such as alkaloids,
diterpenoid lactones, glycosides, steroids, sesquiterpenoid, phenolics, aliphatic compounds and
polysaccharides. The notable medicinal properties reported are anti-diabetic, anti-periodic, anti-spasmodic,
anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, anti-oxidant, anti-allergic, anti-stress, anti-leprotic, anti-malarial,
hepatoprotective, immunomodulatory and anti-neoplastic activities.
Anti-diabetic anti-oxidant alternative medicine phytochemistry
ABSTRACT
KEY WORDS
Correspondence: S.S. Singh
e-mail: singh_ss@hotmail.com
Guduchi is widely used in veterinary folk medicine/
ayurvedic system of medicine for its general tonic, anti-
periodic, anti-spasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-
arthritic, anti-allergic and anti-diabetic properties2-6. The
plant is used in ayurvedic, "Rasayanas" to improve the
immune system and the body resistance against
infections. The root of this plant is known for its anti-
stress, anti-leprotic and anti-malarial activities 6,7. Authors
investigated earlier one of the plants of the family
Menispermaceae and found that the constituents and
activities were similar to other reports8,9.
Chemistry
A variety of constituents have been isolated from
Tinospora cordifolia plant and their structures were
elucidated. They be