Promising implications of Tinospora cordifolia utilization and its functional significance: A review

Abstract

Tinospora cordifolia (TC) a traditional plant used in Indian Ayurvedic medicine widely. Different parts of this plant such as stem, roots, leaves are used for treatment and control of various health issues as well as an ingredient in functional foods. It possesses many health promoting and protecting properties. The present article is a critical review providing a comprehensive discussion on therapeutic application and functional significance of TC. The aim of this review is to develop a clear understanding of these issues. Specifically coverage in this review are published information in the areas of Diabetic retinopathy, Free radical scavenging, Anti-Diabetic, Cognition enhancing, Anti-inflammatory, Anti-allergic, Immunomodulatory and Anti-cancer, Management of Hay Fever, Antioxidant, Hypoglycaemic and Hypolipidaemic, Osteoblasts formation, Immunomodulatory, Immunostimulatory, Protection from Skeletal Muscle Atrophy, Gastroprotective, Antiosteoporotic etc. Uses of TC as plant digestive enzyme and as supplementation in formulation of various functional foods are also compiled for the information and knowledge of food scientists and technologists. The future scope of the review remains in exploiting TC so as to enable new and effective formulation in disease eradication. Further studies are necessary, however, to investigate the best practices for the promising implications of TC utilization and its functional significance.