GILO (TINOSPORA CORDIFOLIA (WILLD.) MIERS: A WONDER DRUG OF UNANI SYSTEM OF MEDICINE

Gilo or Tinospora cordifolia is considered as a wonder drug of Unani System of Medicine because of its broad-spectrum therapeutic properties. It is an herbaceous vine, commonly grown in tropical India, and is being widely used in AYUSH system and unorganized systems (folk, tribal, native) of medicine. It is a storehouse of various phyto constituents like alkaloids, terpenoids, glycosides, hormones, polysaccharides, steroids, minerals etc. Its main pharmacological properties are antipyretic, anti-diabetic, antioxidant, hepato protective etc. Now a days, Gilo is being extensively assessed for its immunomodulator activity and it is proving to be a promising herb in this respect. The current study presents a critical review on the morphology, habitat, phytochemistry, pharmacological actions and therapeutic uses of this medicinal plant as mentioned in the classical literature of Unani System of Medicine as well as to cover its recent researches.