A REVIEW ON THE PHYTOCHEMICAL AND PHARMACOLOGICAL POTENTIAL OF CUSCUTA REFLEXA AND TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA FOR POLYHERBAL SYRUP DEVELOPMENT

Medicinal plants represent an important source of bioactive compounds and have been extensively investigated for their therapeutic applications. Cuscuta reflexa Roxb. and Tinospora cordifolia are traditionally used medicinal plants possessing diverse phytochemical constituents and pharmacological properties. The present review focuses on the phytochemical profile, relevant pharmacological activities, safety aspects and formulation potential of these two plants for development of a polyherbal syrup. Cuscuta reflexa, commonly known as Amarbel, is a parasitic plant traditionally used for conditions such as cough, cold and asthma. Reported phytoconstituents include flavonoids, saponins, steroids, triterpenoids and other secondary metabolites. Experimental investigation of its ethanolic extract demonstrated mast-cell stabilizing activity in sensitized rats. At oral doses of 50 and 100 mg/kg, the extract produced 64.40% and 72.30% intact mast cells, respectively, compared with 84.50% in the prednisolone-treated group. Tinospora cordifolia, commonly known as Guduchi or Giloy, belongs to the family Menispermaceae and contains alkaloids, diterpenoids, glycosides, steroids, flavonoids, phenolics and polysaccharides. Several studies have reported antibacterial activity of its extracts against Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, including clinically relevant and multidrug-resistant organisms. “However, the efficacy, safety and possible interaction between the extracts of the combined formulation need to be established through systematic formulation, standardization and pharmacological studies.”