In-Vitro α-amylase, α-glucosidase Inhibitory Activities and In-Vivo Anti-Hyperglycemic Potential of Different Dosage Forms of Guduchi (Tinospora Cordifolia [Willd.] Miers) Prepared With Ayurvedic Bhavana Process

Abstract

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia [Willd.] Miers) is a flagship rejuvenating herb of Ayurveda with reported anti-diabetic potential. In the present study, different dosage forms of Guduchi stem (growing on neem tree) were developed by adopting Ayurvedic pharmaceutical process of Bhavana (levigation). Guduchi Churna (GC) was subjected to 07 times Bhavana separately with its own extracted juice, decoction and potable water, and dosage forms namely Svarasa Bhavita Guduchi Churna (SBGC), Kwatha Bhavita Guduchi Churna (KBGC), and Jala Bhavita Guduchi Churna (JBGC) were prepared. The present study was aimed to evaluate the role of Bhavana on the potentiation of therapeutic properties of Guduchi. Sequential solvent extracts (5, 10, 15 and 25%) of GC, SBGC, KBGC and JBGC were prepared in different solvents [phosphate buffer, hexane, dichloromethane (DCM), chloroform] and screened for the α-amylase and α-glucosidase inhibitory activity. The results revealed that phosphate buffer and DCM extracts of SBGC exhibited strong α-amylase inhibitory potential (>80% inhibition at 25% concentration) followed by KBGC, JBGC and GC with reference to the standard acarbose. In α-glucosidase inhibitory activity, maximum inhibition was observed in DCM and chloroform extracts of SBGC (>85% inhibition at 25% concentration), followed by KBGC (>80% inhibition at 25% concentration), JBGC and GC. In vivo anti-hyperglycemic studies were carried out by oral glucose tolerance test in Swiss albino mice. Test drugs (JBGC, KBGC, SBGC) treated groups showed marginal decrease of blood glucose levels in normo glycemic mice. However, the blood glucose level in test drug JBGC, KBGC and SBGC treated groups was still within normal range in overnight fasted mice. In oral glucose tolerance test, among all dosage forms SBGC (51.08%) produced pronounced anti-hyperglycemic effect followed by KBGC (42.57%) at a dose of 520 mg/kg. The GC, JBGC, KBGC and SBGC samples were also standardized using berberine (a well established anti-diabetic compound) as a marker compound by HPTLC fingerprint analysis. Findings of the present study indicate that SBGC and KBGC can be used in the treatment of diabetes mellitus and gives supporting evidence to Ayurvedic claims that the Bhavana process has pharmaceutico-therapeutic significance in Ayurvedic drug development.

Therapeutic Potential of the Medicinal Plant Tinospora cordifolia–Minireview

“…Oral administration of T. cordifolia loaded poly (D, L-lactide) (PLA) nanoparticles (NPs) for 28 successive days showed significant anti-hyperglycemic activities comparable to the present anti-diabetic drug glibenclamide in streptozotocin-induced type 2 diabetic rats [44]. Stems of T. cordifolia showed strong α-amylase, α-glucosidase inhibitory activities in vitro, and remarkable anti-hyperglycemic activities in vivo, with blood glucose levels at a normal range in the overnight fasted animals when prepared in different dosage formulations using the Ayurvedic pharmaceutical process of Bhavana (levigation) [45]. Another study by Cherku revealed the antidiabetic efficacy of the T. cordifolia leaf extract and its component alkaloid magnoflorine with decreased serum glucose, prevention in weight loss and aldose reductase inhibitory activity.…”

Corylus avellana: A Source of Diarylheptanoids With α-Glucosidase Inhibitory Activity Evaluated by in vitro and in silico Studies

“…Disorders in insulin production or insulin sensitivity and function cause one of the major chronic metabolic diseases, diabetes mellitus, characterized by a dysfunction in the balance of glucose homeostasis. So, hyperglycemia is inevitably correlated to diabetes ( Sharma et al, 2021 ). One of the causes of morbidity and mortality in low- and middle-income countries is represented by diabetes mellitus, which is growing worldwide ( Sharma et al, 2021 ).…”

Remarks on “Herbal Immune Booster-Induced Liver Injury in the COVID-19 Pandemic - A Case Series”

“… There is published evidence in animal models and clinical studies suggesting TC as a safe natural remedy for hepatoprotection 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 , 6 . Nagral et al do not clarify from the patient’s history, which variety of Tinospora was consumed by the patient, as the two varieties ( T. cordifolia and T. crispa ) look similar in the morphology, and people may mistake T. crispa for T. cordifolia 7 . T. cordifolia is referred to as Giloy in Ayurveda, however T. crispa is known to be hepatotoxic 8 , 9 .…”

“… All cases had history of unsupervised consumption of TC. Four cases consumed twigs (undefined amount), while Ayurveda clearly advocates using thumb sized mature stems 7 . Two cases consumed commercial syrup and tablet with TC as one of the ingredients where a chance of adulteration is possible.…”

“…Ayurveda doesn’t recommend the continuous unsupervised use of TC for several months. Also, the methods to prepare decoction or any dosage form and administration methods are unique in Ayurveda and such medications should only be taken under the supervision of a qualified physician 7 , 12 . The authors have not studied whether the patients had subclinical COVID-19 infection.…”