Giloy - A medicinal herb

Tinospora Cordifolia is a climbing shrub belongs to family Menispermaceae. It is commonly known as Giloy, Guduchi, Amrita, Gurach, Tinospora. It is a large, glabrous deciduous climbing shrub. The stems are rather succulent with long filiform fleshy aerial roots form the branches. The bark is gray brown and watery. The leaves are membranous and cordate. The flowers small and greenish yellow. This herb is found throughout tropical asia ascending to a height of 300 mts.

Chemical Constituents

The plant mainly contains alkaloids, glycosides, steroids, sesquiterpenoid, aliphatic compound, essential oils, mixture of fatty acids and polysaccharides. The alkaloids include berberine, bitter gilonin, non-glycoside gilonin gilosterol. The major phytoconstituent in Tinospora cordifolia include tinosporine, tinosporide, tinosporaside, cordifolide, cordifol, heptacosanol, clerodane furano diterpene, diterpenoid furanolactone tinosporidine, columbin and b-sitosterol. Berberine, Palmatine, Tembertarine, Magniflorine, Choline, and Tinosporin are reported from its stem.

Pharmacological Activities of Tinospora Cordifolia

In ayurvedic medicine, giloy is having a very good impact in reproductive system, blood and fat. Although it has been used to treat a variety of conditions, from gout to jaundice to tuberculosis, only a few of these uses are currently supported by scientific evidence. 

1. Inhibitory Effect of a Polysaccharide on Metastasis

Administration of the polysaccharide fraction from Tinospora cordifolia was found to be very effective in reducing the metastatic potential of melanoma cells. There was a 72% inhibition in the metastases formation in the lungs of syngeneic mice, when the drug was administered simultaneously with tumors challenge. Biochemical parameters such as lung collagen hydroxyproline, hexosamines and uronic acids that are markers of neoplastic development were reduced significantly in the treated animals compared with the untreated control animals. The treatment could also reduce serum glutamyltranspeptidase and sialic acid levels as compared to the control animals.

2. Radiation Therapy 

A study published in "Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine" demonstrated that giloy may help prevent negative side effects of radiation treatment. The experiment, which was conducted on adult male mice, focused on the damaging testicular effects of radiation treatment in males. Male mice who underwent treatment with giloy and were exposed to radiation suffered from fewer testicular lesions and other negative side effects than those who were not treated with giloy. These studies suggest that giloy may be effective in preventing infertility and related problems in men who undergo radiation treatment.

3. Against AIDS 

Giloy may also be beneficial for people with HIV and other autoimmune disorders. Giloy's traditional use as an immune stimulant led researchers to study its effects on patients with HIV. In a study published in the "Indian Journal of Pharmacology," 60 percent of HIV patients who received giloy treatment reported a decrease in disease-related symptoms, as opposed to only 20 percent who received placebo treatment. This study suggests that giloy may improve the immune systems of patients with HIV and other immune disorders, while also alleviating common side effects of these conditions.

4. Anti Diabetic Activity 

The extract of T. cordifolia stem ameliorates the derangements in lipid metabolism caused by diabetes mellitus in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The oral administration of various extracts (hexane, ethyl acetate and methanol) of T. cordifolia stem was found to have potent antidiabetic property by reducing blood sugar level in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats at a dose of 250 mg/kg.The polyherbal formulation, Dihar containing eight different herbs viz., Syzygium cumini, Momordica charantia, Emblica officinalis, Gymnema sylvestre, Enicostemma littorale, Azadirachta indica, T. cordifolia anCurcuma longa significantly reduces level of lipid peroxidation and increases activity of antioxidant enzymes in streptozotocin induced diabetic rats. The ethyl acetate, dichloromethane, chloroform and hexane extracts of T. cordifolia stem were evaluated for alpha glucosidase inhibition activity and resulted that the dichloromethane extract was the most effective i.e. 100% inhibition of the alpha glycosidase than others.The ethanol extract of T. cordifolia demonstrates an androgenic activity. Saponarin isolated from leaf extract of T. cordifolia showed hypoglycemic activity at doses of 20-80 mg/kg. The hydro alcoholic and chloroform extracts of T. cordifoliastem demonstrates significant antidiabetic property at 250 and 500 mg/kg dose dependently in alloxan induced diabetic rats.

Caution

Diabetic patients are advised to use guduchi with caution, since it can lower blood sugar levels. In case you are about to undergo a surgery, stop consuming guduchi two weeks beforehand, since it can interfere with blood sugar control during the surgery.

5. Anticancer Activity 

The active principles from T. cordifolia enhance host immune system by increasing immunoglobulin and blood leukocyte levels and by the stimulation of stem cell proliferation. It has the ability to reduce solid tumour volume by 58.8%, which is comparable to cyclophosphamide, a known chemotherapeutic agent.These immunostimulating properties can be used in the prevention of tumour mediated immunosuppression and hence could be a drug choice for various cancers. 

6. Anti Allergic Activity 

Tinospora cordifolia has been studied for its anti allergic effect. It was found that T cordifolia provided significant relief from sneezing, nasal discharge, nasal obstruction, and nasal pruritus compared with placebo with consistent improvements on examination of the nasal smears and nasal mucosa.

7. As an Immunomodulator and against Hepatic Amoebiasis 

The activity of a crude extract formulation was evaluated in experimental amoebic liver abscess in golden hamsters and in immunomodulation studies by Youvraj R Sohni et al. The formulation comprises the following five plants Boerhavia diffusa, Tinospora cordifolia, Berberis aristata, Terminalia chebula and Zingiber officinale. The formulation had a maximum cure rate of 73% at a dose of 800 mg/kg/day in hepatic amoebiasis reducing the average degree of infection (ADI) to 1.3 as compared to 4.2 for sham-treated controls. In immunomodulation studies humoral immunity was enhanced as evidenced by the haemagglutination titre. The T-cell counts remained unaffected in the animals treated with the formulation but cell-mediated immune response was stimulated as observed in the leukocyte migration inhibition (LMI) tests.

8. Anti-inflammatory Activity 

A study was conducted by Siddalingappa C M et al. It has been observed that Tinospora cordifolia showed significant increase in the reaction time (pain threshold) in doses of 100 mg/kg, 200 mg/kg, 100 mg/kg with 5 mg/kg of diclofenac after 30, 60 and 90 minutes of administration. In the same above doses, Tinospora cordifolia showed 32.63%, 36.63% and 40.5% inhibition of paw edema respectively at the end of three hours.

9. Antioxidant Activity 

Anilakumar K R et al. has studied the in-vitro antioxidant activity of Tinospora cordifolia. It has been observed that Tinospora cordifolia exhibited excellent antioxidant activity in methanol, ethanol and water extracts. The observed high antioxidant activities of the extracts indicate the potential of the stem as a source of natural antioxidants or nutraceuticals to reduce oxidative stress with consequent health benefits.

10.Antiulcer Activity 

D. N. K. Sarma et al. has studied the antiulcer activity by using the ethanolic extracts of the roots of T. cordifolia and was observed that, it induces a marked protective action against an 8 h restraint stress induced ulcerization, which is comparable to that of diazepam.

11.Wound Healing Activity 

Umesh Jain et al. has observed that, the methanolic extract possesses significant wound healing promoting activity of Tinospora cordifolia.The study suggested that the methanolic extract of Tinospora cordifolia possesses better wound healing potency, which was evident by the increased rate of wound contraction; reduction in the period of epithelialization, increase in collagen deposition and increase in tensile strength in granulation tissue.

12.Mental Disorder 

The whole plant and the juice of the leaves are traditionally used in various mental disorders. This is regarded as one of the best psychotropic drugs in India.

13.Effect on Memory 

T. cordifolia has also been shown to enhance cognition (learning and memory) in normal rats and reverse cyclosporine-induced memory deficit. Both the alcoholic and aqueous extracts of T. cordifolia produced a decrease in learning scores in Hebb William maze and retention memory, indicating enhancement of learning and memory.  

14.Against Dengue 

The capsule developed from giloy is useful in the treatment of Dengue. It is very much useful in ayurvedic treatment. 

Uses and Benefits of Guduchi 

All parts of guduchi plant are used for various medicinal purposes. The plant oil is effective in reducing pain andedema and in gout and skin diseases. The herb accords longevity, enhances memory, improves health, and bestows youth, betters complexion, voice, energy and luster of the skin. It is helpful in treating digestive ailments such as hyperacidity, colitis, worm infestations, loss of appetite, abdominal pain, excessive thirst, and vomiting and even liver disorders like hepatitis. Fresh juice of guduchi, when mixed with rock candy, speeds up 

the recovery in hepatitis patients. It helps in remedying ailments like raktapitta, anemia, cardiac debility, diabetes, sexual debility and splenic disorders. The starch of the plant serves as a household remedy for chronic fever, relieves burning sensation and increases energy and appetite. 

            The decoction of guduchi, mixed with nimba and vasa, eases the itching and oozing. It benefits general weakness, dyspepsia, impotency, dysentery, secondary syphilis, tuberculosis, jaundice, constipation, leprosy, general debility, cutaneous rashes and condylomata. Guduchi helps in getting rid of renal caliculi and reduces blood urea level. The decoction of guduchi and sunthi is a good combination for treating gout and rheumatic disorders. Guduchi juice, when taken with cow’s milk or lodhra, is effective in combating leucorrhea. The juice is mixed with cumin seeds and consumed to reduce the burning sensation caused due to pitta. The root of guduchi is a strong emetic and used for bowel obstruction.

Uses under ayurvedic System of Medicines 

For Diabetes, the samoolam or the whole plant is crushed and juice is extracted. 2 to 3 ounce of this juice is given 3 times daily before food and it is a very effective remedy to control the glucose level. The leaves are baked in fire and applied externally over the ulcers. The decoction prepared by the samoolam is an effective remedy for fever. For better results parpadakam, chandanam, chukku, koraikizhangu can be used for preparation of this decoction. An effective Siddha preparation called Seenthil sarkarai or Seenthil uppu is a very effective remedy for venereal diseases, diabetes, skin diseases, spleenomegally, jaundice, cough etc. Seethil leghyam is an effective remedy for suram (fever), diarrhoea, venereal diseases etc. The juice of this plant is recommended daily in the case of AIDS.
                       Research work on this plant has proved that it increases the immunity and defence mechanism against the retro virus and increases the lifespan of the patient.For rheumatic complaints like Rheumatoid arthritis, 20 to 30 ml of the juice of this plant is advised twice daily. Seenthil choornam and Seethil uppu is found to bring excellent results in the condtions like chronic skin ailments, bone disorders and infertility.

                    At last This is really a miraculous herb having the choice to be used in each and every ailments. It may produce side effects such as constipation. So a further study is required along with the clinical trials to proof the benefits of this herb. Additionally, a person should consult his/her doctor before using giloy if having any health problem or if pregnant or breastfeeding.

(Source- indian science journals)