Effect of Rubia cordifolia, Fagonia cretica linn, and Tinospora cordifolia on free radical generation and lipid peroxidation during oxygen-glucose deprivation in rat hippocampal slices

Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy): An insight on the multifarious pharmacological paradigms of a most promising medicinal ayurvedic herb

Medicinal herbs are being widely accepted as alternative remedies for preventing various diseases especially in India and other Asian countries. However, most plant-based herbal medicines are not yet being scientifically accepted worldwide. "Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook.F. & Thomson", one of the most promising plant species of Tinospora known as "Giloy" or Guduchi that is used in several traditional medicines in treating diseases e.g., metabolic and immune disorders, diabetes, heart diseases, cancer, and infectious diseases, has been widely investigated. Varieties of bioactive phytochemical constituents isolated from the stem, root and whole plant of T. cordifolia have been identified. In the last two decades, the diverse pharmacological activities of T. cordifolia have been continuously studied. Due to its therapeutic efficacy in immune modulation, it could be effective in viral and other diseases treatment as well. A medicinal plant could be well-suited not only for the treatment of target site but also for boosting the body's immune system. As an alternate source of medication, medicinal herbs are continuously showing better compatibility with the human body with minimal side effects than other therapies. Keeping this in mind, the present review highlights the pharmacological potential of T. cordifolia against various diseases.

Natural feed additives and bioactive supplements versus chemical additives as a safe and practical approach to combat foodborne mycotoxicoses

This review highlights the possible hazard of mycotoxins occurrence in foods and feeds in regards to foodborne diseases. The possible management of the risk of contamination of foods and feeds with mycotoxins by using natural feed additives, protecting against deleterious effects of mycotoxins or inhibiting the growth of fungi and mycotoxin production, is deeply investigated in the available literature and some effective measures for safe utilization of mycotoxin contaminated feed/food are proposed. The biological methods of decontamination, degradation or biotransformation of mycotoxins are deeply analyzed and discussed. Some natural antagonists against target fungi are also reviewed and a comparison is made with conventional fungicides for ensuring a safe prevention of mycotoxin contamination. The most common and useful chemical methods of mycotoxins decontamination of agricultural commodities or raw materials are also investigated, e.g., chemical additives inactivating or destroying and/or adsorbing mycotoxins as well as chemical additives inhibiting the growth of fungi and mycotoxin production. The practical use and safety of various kind of feed/food additives or herbal/biological supplements as possible approach for ameliorating the adverse effects of some dangerous mycotoxins is deeply investigated and some suggestions are given. Various possibilities for decreasing mycotoxins toxicity, e.g., by clarifying the mechanisms of their toxicity and using some target antidotes and vitamins as supplements to the diet, are also studied in the literature and appropriate discussions or suggestions are made in this regard. Some studies on animal diets such as low carbohydrate intake, increased protein content, calorie restriction or the importance of dietary fats are also investigated in the available literature for possible amelioration of the ailments associated with mycotoxins exposure. It could be concluded that natural feed additives and bioactive supplements would be more safe and practical approach to combat foodborne mycotoxicoses as compared to chemical additives.

Unveiling Various Facades of Tinospora cordifolia Stem in Food: Medicinal and Nutraceutical Aspects

Natural products with curative properties are gaining immense popularity in scientific and food research, possessing no side effects in contrast to other drugs. Guduchi, or Tinospora cordifolia, belongs to the menispermaceae family of universal drugs used to treat various diseases in traditional Indian literature. It has received attention in recent decades because of its utilization in folklore medicine for treating several disorders. Lately, the findings of active phytoconstituents present in herbal plants and their pharmacological function in disease treatment and control have stimulated interest in plants around the world. Guduchi is ethnobotanically used for jaundice, diabetes, urinary problems, stomachaches, prolonged diarrhea, skin ailments, and dysentery. The treatment with Guduchi extracts was accredited to phytochemical constituents, which include glycosides, alkaloids, steroids, and diterpenoid lactones. This review places emphasis on providing in-depth information on the budding applications of herbal medicine in the advancement of functional foods and nutraceuticals to natural product researchers.

Potential use of Tinospora cordifolia as a herbal supplement in dairy animals: a review

Supplementation is an integral part of modern dairy-feeding practices which mainly emphasise on higher production. Different supplements have been utilized by the farmers according to the need and action of supplements. Tinospora cordifolia (TC) is one such herbal supplement which can be utilized to feed dairy animals either alone or in combination with other supplements. TC is a herb found in tropical countries and having number of medicinal properties. Beneficial health effects of TC include immunostimulation, protection against inflammation and bacterial action, hepatoprotection, antioxidant and antineoplastic effects. Available studies on TC supplementation in dairy animals have shown a positive effect on health, body parameters and production performance. Supplementing TC is economically feasible, and it can be adopted by farmers as it helps in improving their net income. However, more research is needed in the field of dairy animals to explore the full potential of this herb. This review is written with the objective of highlighting the possibilities of using TC in dairy animal rations and promoting research in the concerned field to fill the gaps in knowledge. Thorough knowledge about TC and its effect in dairy animals can add a new concept to the supplementation process and developments of dairy rations.

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers: Protection mechanisms and strategies against oxidative stress-related diseases

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers (Menispermaceae) is a Mediterranean herb, used in Ayurvedic, Siddha, Unani, and folk medicines. The herb is also used in conventional medicine to treat oxidative stress-related diseases and conditions, including inflammation, pain, diarrhea, asthma, respiratory infections, cancer, diabetes, and gastrointestinal disorders.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

The taxonomy, botanical classification, geographical distribution, and ethnobotanical uses of T. cordifolia, as well as the phytochemical compounds found in the herb, the toxicology of and pharmacological and clinical studies on the effects of T. cordifolia are all covered in this study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

To gather information on T. cordifolia, we used a variety of scientific databases, including Scopus, Google Scholar, PubMed, and Science Direct. The information discussed focuses on biologically active compounds found in T. cordifolia, and common applications and pharmacological activity of the herb, as well as toxicological and clinical studies on its properties.

RESULTS

The findings of this study reveal a connection between the use of T. cordifolia in conventional medicine and its antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, anticancer, immunomodulatory, and other biological effects. The entire plant, stem, leaves, root, and extracts of T. cordifolia have been shown to have a variety of biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, antiviral, antiparasitic, antidiabetic, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective impact. Toxicological testing demonstrated that this plant may have medicinal applications. T. cordifolia contains a variety of biologically active compounds from various chemical classes, including alkaloids, terpenoids, sitosterols, flavonoids, and phenolic acids. Based on the reports researched for this review, we believe that chemicals in T. cordifolia may activate Nrf2, which leads to the overexpression of antioxidant enzymes such as CAT, GPx, GST, and GR, and thereby induces the adaptive response to oxidative stress. T. cordifolia is also able to reduce NF-κB signalling by inhibiting PI3K/Akt, activating AMPK and sirtuins, and downregulating PI3K/Akt.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that the pharmacological properties displayed by T. cordifolia back up its conventional uses. Antimicrobial, antiviral, antioxidant, anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antimutagenic, antidiabetic, nephroprotective, gastroprotective, hepatoprotective, and cardioprotective activities were all demonstrated in T. cordifolia stem extracts. To validate pharmacodynamic targets, further research is needed to evaluate the molecular mechanisms of the known compounds against gastrointestinal diseases, inflammatory processes, and microbial infections, as immunostimulants, and in chemotherapy. The T. cordifolia safety profile was confirmed in a toxicological analysis, which prompted pharmacokinetic assessment testing to confirm its bioavailability.

<i>Tinospora cordifolia</i> (Giloy): Phytochemistry, Ethnopharmacology, Clinical Application and Conservation Strategies

Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) is a medicinal plant used in folk and Ayurvedic medicines throughout India since ancient times. All the parts of the plant are immensely useful due to the presence of different compounds of pharmaceutical importance belonging to various groups as alkaloids, diterpenoid lactones, glycosides, steroids, sesquiterpenoid, and phenolics. These compounds possess pharmacological properties, which make it anti-diabetic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, hepato-protective, and immuno-modulatory. However, due to the increasing population, there is an inadequate supply of drugs. Therefore, this review focuses on phytochemistry, ethnopharmacology, clinical application and its conservation strategies so that the plant can be conserved for future generations and utilized as alternative medicine as well as to design various pharmacologically important drugs.

Neuroprotective Effects of Medicinal Plants in Cerebral Hypoxia and Anoxia: A Systematic Review

Background:

Hypoxia and anoxia are dangerous and sometimes irreversible complications in the central nervous system (CNS), which in some cases lead to death.

Objective:

The aim of this review was to investigate the neuroprotective effects of medicinal plants in cerebral hypoxia and anoxia.

Methods:

The word hypox*, in combination with some herbal terms such as medicinal plant, phyto* and herb*, was used to search for relevant publications indexed in the Institute for Scientific Information (ISI) and PubMed from 2000-2019.

Results:

Certain medicinal plants and herbal derivatives can exert their protective effects in several ways. The most important mechanisms are the inhibition of inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), production of NO, inhibition of both hypoxia-inducible factor 1α and tumor necrosis factor-alpha activation, and reduction of extracellular glutamate, N-Methyl-D-aspartic and intracellular Ca (2+). In addition, they have an antioxidant activity and can adjust the expression of genes related to oxidant generation or antioxidant capacity. These plants can also inhibit lipid peroxidation, up-regulate superoxide dismutase activity and inhibit the content of malondialdehyde and lactate dehydrogenase. Moreover, they also have protective effects against cytotoxicity through down-regulation of the proteins that causes apoptosis, anti-excitatory activity, inhibition of apoptosis signaling pathway, reduction of pro-apoptotic proteins, and endoplasmic reticulum stress that causes apoptosis during hypoxia, increasing anti-apoptotic protein, inhibition of protein tyrosine kinase activation, decreasing proteases activity and DNA fragmentation, and upregulation of mitochondrial cytochrome oxidase.

Conclusion:

The results indicated that medicinal plants and their compounds mainly exert their neuroprotective effects in hypoxia via regulating proteins that are related to antioxidant, anti-apoptosis and anti-inflammatory activities.

TMARg, a Novel Anthraquinone Isolated from Rubia cordifolia Nakai, Increases Osteogenesis and Mineralization through BMP2 and β-Catenin Signaling

Background: Plant extracts have long been regarded as useful medicines in the treatment of human diseases. Rubia cordifolia Nakai has been used as a traditional medicine, as it has pharmacological properties such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity. However, the biological functions of TMARg, isolated from the roots of R. cordifolia, in osteoblast differentiation remain unknown. This study was performed to investigate the pharmacological effects and intracellular signaling of TMARg in the osteoblast differentiation of pre-osteoblast MC3T3-E1 cells and mesenchymal precursor C2C12 cells. Methods: Cell viability was evaluated using an MTT assay. Early and late osteoblast differentiation was examined by analyzing the activity of alkaline phosphatase (ALP), and by staining it with Alizarin red S (ARS). Cell migration was determined by using migration assays. Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical analysis were used to examine the intracellular signaling pathways and differentiation proteins. Results: In the present study, TMARg showed no cytotoxicity and increased the osteoblast differentiation in pre-osteoblasts, as assessed from the alkaline phosphate (ALP) staining and activity and ARS staining. TMARg also induced BMP2 expression and increased the p-smad1/5/8-RUNX2 and β-catenin pathways in both MC3T3-E1 and C2C12 cells. Furthermore, TMARg activated mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) and increased the cell migration rate. In addition, the TMARg-mediated osteoblast differentiation was suppressed by BMP and Wnt inhibitors with the downregulation of BMP2 expression. Conclusion: These findings demonstrate that TMARg exerts pharmacological and biological effects on osteoblast differentiation through the activation of BMP2 and β-catenin signaling pathways, and suggest that TMARg might be a potential phytomedicine for the treatment of bone diseases.

Using Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) as an eco-friendly feed supplement in human and poultry nutrition

Guduchi (Tinospora cordifolia) is a well-recognized and widely distributed traditional plant that is used successfully in Indian Ayurveda medicine. T. cordifolia has shown many promising biological activities, such as antioxidative, antimicrobial, antihyperglycemic, anti-inflammatory, osteoprotective, hepatoprotective, antidiarrheal, and antistress effects. Guduchi is a rich source of protein and micronutrients, such as iron, zinc, copper, calcium, phosphorus, and manganese. It also contains many secondary plant metabolites, such as terpenes, alkaloids, flavonoids, steroids, and glycosides. Based on previous studies in poultry, the supplementation levels of Guduchi range from 1 to 5 g/kg of diet (different sources, such as powder, extracts, roots, and leaves, have been used). It was suggested that this variation in supplementation levels depends on different factors, including the extraction method, the supplementation proposed, the method of supplementation (either in feed or drinking water), and the species and physiological status of the birds. Generally, dietary supplementation of poultry broilers with T. cordifolia yielded positive impacts on growth performance, body gains (increased by 4.8%), dressing percentage (increased by 7.1%), meat quality traits, and the shelf life of the meat. In addition, T. cordifolia exerted a palliative effect on the general health status of the birds through reducing live enzymes and plasma uric acids and enhancing the immune response, as indicated by the leukocyte count, hemagglutinin titer, interleukin activity, and mortality levels. Further investigations concluded that T. cordifolia showed strong antimicrobial effects against Escherichia coli and Salmonella enteritidis, with subsequent reductions in mortality. Moreover, T. cordifolia showed an ability to improve humoral and cell-mediated immunity against Newcastle disease, infectious anemia, gout, and aflatoxicosis. The current review discusses many beneficial properties of T. cordifolia, although the lack of pharmacological trials limits the use of this extract in poultry. Further research should be performed regarding the composition of the active compound, the possible mechanisms of action, and the effective doses to fully understand the activities and benefits of T. cordifolia as a growth performance improvement supplement.

Tinospora cordifolia: One plant, many roles

Natural products with medicinal value are gradually gaining importance in clinical research due to their well-known property of no side effects as compared to drugs. Tinospora cordifolia commonly named as "Guduchi" is known for its immense application in the treatment of various diseases in the traditional ayurvedic literature. Recently the discovery of active components from the plant and their biological function in disease control has led to active interest in the plant across the globe. Our present study in this review encompasses (i) the genetic diversity of the plant and (ii) active components isolated from the plant and their biological role in disease targeting. The future scope of the review remains in exploiting the biochemical and signaling pathways affected by the compounds isolated from Tinospora so as to enable new and effective formulation in disease eradication.

Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Hook. f. and Thoms. (Guduchi) - validation of the Ayurvedic pharmacology through experimental and clinical studies

T. cordifolia (Guduchi) is a large, glabrous, perennial, deciduous, climbing shrub of weak and fleshy stem found throughout India. It is a widely used plant in folk and Ayurvedic systems of medicine. The chemical constituents reported from this shrub belong to different classes, such as alkaloids, diterpenoid lactones, glycosides, steroids, sesquiterpenoid, phenolics, aliphatic compounds and polysaccharides. Various properties of T. cordifolia, described in ancient texts of Ayurveda, like Rasayana, Sangrahi, Balya, Agnideepana, Tridoshshamaka, Dahnashaka, Mehnashaka, Kasa-swasahara, Pandunashaka, Kamla-Kushta-Vataraktanashaka, Jwarhara, Krimihara, Prameha, Arshnashaka, Kricch-Hridroganashak, etc., are acquiring scientific validity through modern research adopting "reverse pharmacological" approach. Potential medicinal properties reported by scientific research include anti-diabetic, antipyretic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, anti-arthritic, antioxidant, anti-allergic, anti-stress, anti-leprotic, antimalarial, hepato-protective, immuno-modulatory and anti-neoplastic activities. This review brings together various properties and medicinal uses of T. cordifolia described in Ayurveda, along with phytochemical and pharmacological reports.

Therapeutic effects of propolis essential oil on anxiety of restraint-stressed mice

Propolis has a broad spectrum of biological activities; however, whether its essential oils have neuroprotective effects is unknown. In this study, we found that propolis essential oil (PEO) could significantly reverse the anxiety-like behavior of restraint-stressed mice, and has no effect on locomotor activity. Furthermore, PEO significantly decreased the plasma levels of cortisol (CORT), adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) and malondialdehyde (MDA), whereas it increased the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) in restraint-stressed mice. These results strongly suggest that PEO has therapeutic effects on anxiety through antagonizing the hyperfunction of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and improving the ability of antioxidation in brain tissue.

The role of EPR spectroscopy in studies of the oxidative status of biological systems and the antioxidative properties of various compounds

In this era of intense study of free radicals and antioxidants, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) is arguably the best-suited technique for such research, particularly when considering biochemical and biological systems. No attempt was made to cover all the topics of EPR application but instead attention was restricted to two areas that are both novel and received less attention in previous reviews. In the first section, the application of EPR in assessing the oxidative status of various biological systems, using endogenous stabile paramagnetic species, such as the ascorbyl radical, semiquinone, melanin, and oxidized pigments, is addressed. The second section covers the use of EPR in the emerging field of antioxidant development, using EPR spin-trapping and spin-probing techniques. In both sections, in addition to giving an overview of the available literature, examples (mostly from the authors? recent work) are also presented in sufficient detail to illustrate how to explore the full potential of EPR. This review aims at encouraging biologists, chemists and pharmacologists interested in the redox metabolism of living systems, free radical chemistry or antioxidative properties of new drugs and natural products to take advantage of this technique for their investigations.

Characterisation of bhringaraj and guduchi herb by ICP-MS analysis, optical absorption, infrared and EPR spectroscopic methods

Leaves of bhringaraj and guduchi herb of Kadapa district of Andhra Pradesh, India, are dried and powdered. ICP-MS analysis of samples indicates that copper is present in both the samples. An EPR study of guduchi sample also confirms the presence of Fe(III) whereas Eclipta alba confirms the presence of Fe(III), Mn(II) and Cu(II). Optical absorption spectrum of guduchi indicates that Cu(II) is present in rhombically distorted octahedral environment. NIR and IR results are due to carbonate fundamentals.

Quantitative structure−activity relationship (QSAR) for neuroprotective activity of terpenoids

Neuroprotective activity of thirteen terpenoids on human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y was evaluated in vitro by using a simulated ischemia model. The protective effects on ischemic damage ranged from 3.0% to 56.5%, and trans-4,11,11-trimethyl-8-methylenebicyclo[7,2,0]undec-4-ene (trans-caryophyllene) showed the highest neuroprotective activity. A quantitative structure-activity relationship (QSAR) model was developed for eleven terpenoids with significant neuroprotective activity using TSAR software. The QSAR study produced two equations with significant predictive values (r(2) and p value) and indicated that the activity was mainly governed by lipophilicity, shape index, and electrostatic property. This QSAR approach can contribute to a better understanding of structural properties of the terpenoids responsible for neuroprotection, and can be useful in predicting the neuroprotective activity of other terpenoids.