Medicinal Plants - International Journal of Phytomedicines and Related Industries

Tinospora is a plant genus widely distributed in Southeast Asia, where it is used as traditional medicine. Extracts from the stem and leaves of Tinospora crispa and Tinospora cordifolia are rich in phytochemicals like flavonoids, terpenoids, alkaloids etc., which are well known for their hypoglycaemic and/or antioxidant effects. Diabetes-induced hyperglycaemia triggers an increased formation of advanced glycation endproducts (AGE) which are associated with inflammation and oxidative stress causing diabetic complications. Little is known about the effects of T. crispa and T. cordifolia on AGE formation and prevention of AGE-induced effects like oxidative stress. Therefore, we discussed the updated information on the effects of Tinospora extracts on the AGEs formation. Glucose lowering Tinospora constituents mainly belonged to the group of terpenoids e.g., borapetoside A and borapetol A, while alkaloids like berberine and palmatine reduced the AGE formation. Flavonoids showed to be protective against AGE-associated oxidative stress. Nonetheless, more in depth studies are further required to understand the protective mechanism of the extracts.