Is Tinospora cordifolia Responsible for Drug-induced Liver Injury?

Abstract

A number of journal articles written by researchers claiming Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy) is to blame for liver damage have sparked a wide range of debates between Ayush and the allopathic medical community, particularly in India. Some even argue that promoting Giloy-based formulations to the general public is a bad idea. In this backdrop, the purpose of this essay is to provide a counter-narrative based on some of the major gaps in the research that implicated Giloy in Drug-induced Liver Injury (DILI). Time-tested herb, Giloy, which has been used for pharmacological benefits since antiquity, as well as clinical and toxicological evidence suggest that Giloy is safe, and the observed negative effects can be attributed to Tinospora crispa, a herb that resembles Tinospora cordifolia in appearance. Holding Giloy species to be detrimental is unjustifiable unless other variables such as authentication, standardization, Good Agricultural and Collection Practices (GACP), Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), regularization of the market are considered. This article emphasizes the importance of strategic collaboration between plants and contemporary medicine in order to eliminate concerns about the use of Giloy by the general public.