title: Medicinal and Beneficial Health Applications of Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi): A Miraculous Herb Countering Various Diseases/Disorders and its Immunomodulatory Effects.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Plants have been known as an integral part of traditional medicine because of their phytoconstituents with their miraculous substances. Tinospora cordifolia (Guduchi/ Giloy) is one such plant having pharmacological functions and medicinal values due to its several constituents such as terpenes, glycosides, alkaloids, steroids and flavonoids. Thus, it has been rightly mentioned in old texts as "Amrita".
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The objective of the present review is to extend the current knowledge, importance and beneficial pharmacological applications of guduchi in humans for safeguarding various health issues.
  
  
  METHODS
  We extensively reviewed, analyzed and compiled salient information from the published literature available in PubMed and other scientific databases.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The present review describes medicinal applications of T. cordifolia in countering various disorders and usages as anti-oxidant, anti-hyperglycemic, antihyperlipidemic, hepatoprotective, cardiovascular protective, neuroprotective, osteoprotective, radioprotective, anti-anxiety, adaptogenic agent, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, a thrombolytic agent, anti-diarrheal, anti-ulcer, anti-microbial and anti-cancer agent. The plant is also a source of micronutrients viz. copper, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc and manganese. A special focus has been made on its health benefits in treating endocrine and metabolic disorders and its potential as an immune booster. Several patents have been filed and granted to inventions encompassing T. cordifolia as a major component of therapeutics for ameliorating metabolic, endocrinal and several other ailments, aiding in the betterment of human life expectancy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The information presented would be beneficial for researchers, medical professionals and pharmaceutical companies to design and develop effective medicines, drugs and healthical products exploiting the multiple as well as specific modes of actions of T. cordifolia, and also help in promoting and popularizing this rich herb having promising potentials to prevent and treat various ailments.
authors.affiliation: Division of Pathology, ICARIndian Veterinary Research Institute (IVRI), Izatnagar, Bareilly-243 122, Uttar Pradesh. India.
authors.forename: Kuldeep
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dhama
authors.affiliation: Immunology Section, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. India.
authors.forename: Swati
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sachan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. India.
authors.forename: Rekha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khandia
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry and Genetics, Barkatullah University, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh. India.
authors.forename: Ashok
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Munjal
authors.affiliation: School of Engineering and Science, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Ave. Eugenio Garza Sada 2501, Monterrey, N.L., CP 64849. Mexico.
authors.forename: Hafiz M N
authors.initials: HMN
authors.lastname: Iqbal
authors.affiliation: Immunology Section, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh. India.
authors.forename: Shyma K
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Latheef
authors.affiliation: Central University Laboratory, Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu. India.
authors.forename: Kumaragurubaran
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Karthik
authors.affiliation: Division of Physiology and Climatology, ICAR-Indian Veterinary Research Institute, Izatnagar, Bareilly- 243 122, Uttar Pradesh. India.
authors.forename: Hari A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Samad
authors.affiliation: Department of Veterinary Microbiology and Immunology, College of Veterinary Sciences, UP Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhayay Pashu Chikitsa Vigyan Vishwavidyalay Evum Go-Anusandhan Sansthan (DUVASU), Mathura-281001, Uttar Pradesh. India.
authors.forename: Ruchi
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Tiwari
authors.affiliation: Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute, Agricultural Research, Education and Extension Organization (AREEO), Karaj. Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dadar
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D007155:Immunologic Factors / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000494:pharmacology*; D008519:Medicine, Traditional; D010330:Patents as Topic; D064209:Phytochemicals / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D031610:Tinospora / Q000737:chemistry*
chemical_list: D007155:Immunologic Factors; D064209:Phytochemicals; D010936:Plant Extracts
keywords: Adaptogen; Tinospora cordifolia.; anti-hyperglycemic; anti-hyperlipidemic; endocrine system modulation; herb; immune booster; metabolism enhancer