Scientists review the medicinal activity of the heart-leaved moonseed

A study led by Indian researchers suggests that the heart-leaved moonseed (Tinospora cordifolia), a plant mainly used in Ayurveda, is a rich source of phenolic compounds with antioxidant properties. Their findings, published in BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, support traditional claims that the herb offers antioxidant and antiproliferative properties.

• Researchers obtained an ethanol extract from T. cordifolia (TCE), fractionating it using petroleum ether (TCP), n-butanol (TCB), and water (TCA) using the stems of the plant.
• The extract and its subsequent fractions underwent multiple assays to determine its phenolic and flavonoid contents, as well as its antioxidant property.
• To measure the antiproliferative ability of the derivatives, these were subjected to MTT and SRB assays using cervical carcinoma (HeLa) cell lines.
• Researchers found that TCE and TCB offered better antioxidant and antiproliferative properties, compared to other fractions. In addition, TCB also displayed superior antioxidant activity, based on the DPPH assay, as well as the ABTS, nitric oxide, and iron chelating activities.
• Results from cell assays revealed that TCE and TBC were cytotoxic against HeLa cell lines.

Based on these findings, researchers concluded that T. cordifolia should be investigated further, given its promise as a potent source of antioxidants.

Read the full text of the study at this link.

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Journal Reference:

Polu PR, Nayanbhirama U, Khan S, Maheswari R. ASSESSMENT OF FREE RADICAL SCAVENGING AND ANTI-PROLIFERATIVE ACTIVITIES OF TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA MIERS (WILLD). BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine. 11 September 2017;17(457). DOI: 10.1186/s12906-017-1953-3