Immunopotentiating compounds from Tinospora cordifolia

J Ethnopharmacol. 1997 Oct;58(2):89-95. doi: 10.1016/s0378-8741(97)00086-x.

Abstract

The active principles of Tinospora cordifolia a traditional Indian plant were found to possess anticomplementary and immunomodulatory activities. Syringin (TC-4) and cordiol (TC-7) inhibited the in vitro immunohaemolysis of antibody-coated sheep erythrocytes by guinea pig serum. The reduced immunohaemolysis was found to be due to inhibition of the C3-convertase of the classical complement pathway. However, higher concentrations showed constant inhibitory effects. The compounds also gave rise to significant increases in IgG antibodies in serum. Humoral and cell-mediated immunity were also dose-dependently enhanced. Macrophage activation was reported for cordioside (TC-2), cordiofolioside A (TC-5) and cordiol (TC-7) and this activation was more pronounced with increasing incubation times.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic / pharmacology*
  • Animals
  • Antibody Formation / drug effects*
  • Complement Pathway, Alternative / drug effects
  • Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay
  • Erythrocytes / drug effects
  • Guinea Pigs
  • Hemagglutination Tests
  • Hypersensitivity, Delayed / immunology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred BALB C
  • Plant Extracts / immunology*
  • Plant Extracts / pharmacology
  • Plants, Medicinal / immunology*
  • Rabbits

Substances

  • Adjuvants, Immunologic
  • Plant Extracts