Drug Interaction Potential of Tinospora cordifolia: A Review

Abstract

Natural products mainly herbs are regularly administered in combination with conventional drugs, hoisting the potential of herb-drug interactions. When the constituents of herb regulate absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of other co-administered drugs, then there will be an onset of pharmacokinetic drug interaction. On the other hand when the constituents alter the activity of receptors involved in the mechanism of action of the co-administered drug, then there will be an onset of a pharmacodynamic interaction. Tinospora cordifolia (TC) is widely used in Ayurvedic medicine as a tonic vitalizer, antipyretic and as a remedy for diabetes and other metabolic disorders. Hence TC is considered as a Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) in the form of herbal supplement. Overall it is observed that people suffering from various diseases are using herbal medicines in the form of a single herb or a polyherbal preparation, besides the prescribed medicines. These herbal formulations are considered to function as a nutritive supplement. Even though herbal supplements are claimed to be free from side effects but needs to be assessed for the HDI potential with the co-administered prescription drug. Hence, an intense effort has been made here to review and analyze the affirmative as well as negative impact of TC with commonly co-administered contemporary medicine.