Tinospora cordifolia Chemical Constituents and Medicinal Properties: A Review

Since the beginning of human civilization, medicinal plants have been used by mankind for its therapeutic value. Nature has been a source of medicinal agents for thousands of years and an impressive number of modern drugs have been isolated from natural sources. Traditional medicine has remained as the most affordable and easily accessible source of treatment in the primary healthcare system of resource poor communities in India. A huge interest always exists in exploring nutraceuticals from plant materials to replace synthetic drugs in order to overcome their adverse effects and also for economic reasons. Tinospora cordifolia is a widely used shrub in folk and Ayurvedic systems of medicine all over India. Though almost all of its parts are used in traditional systems of medicines, leaves stem and roots are the most important parts which are used medicinally. Tinospora cordifolia is a versatile resource for all forms of life. It belongs to family Menispermaceae. It contains many different chemicals that affect the body. The present review aims to summarize the information concerning the chemical constituents and medicinal aspects of the Tinospora cordifolia plant.