Scientific Validation of the Medicinal Efficacy ofTinospora cordifolia
Present communication reports the scientific evaluation ofTinospora cordifoliafor its medicinal efficacy which includes phytochemical screening, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anticancer activities of the plant. Secondary metabolites including anthraquinones, terpenoids, and saponins were present in many extracts in addition to phenolics. Total phenol contents in various extracts were found in the range of 8.75–52.50 catechol equivalent per gram (CE/g). In disc diffusion assays, polar extracts exhibited considerable inhibition againstKlebsiella pneumoniae. Several other extracts also showed antibacterial activity against pathogenic strains ofE. coli,Pseudomonasspp., andProteusspp. Minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) values of potential extracts were found between 1.29 and 22.73 mg/mL. The lowest MBC (1.29 mg/mL) was recorded for acetone and ethyl acetate extracts againstK. pneumoniaeandPseudomonasspp., respectively. The antioxidant activity of the extracts was comparable to that of standard antioxidants and concentration-dependent response was shown in reducing power assay. Aqueous extracts demonstrated substantial metal ion chelating activity (67–95%) at lower concentrations (10–40 μg/mL). Other extracts also exhibited considerable metal chelating response. Most of the extracts revealed considerable inhibition of MCF-7 cancer cell line. The study established remarkable antibacterial, antioxidant, and anticancer potential inT. cordifoliastem extracts.