Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers ex Hook.f. & Thoms.: Agrobiodiversity conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources in India Geetha K.A., Maiti Satyabrata* ICAR-Directorate of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Research (ICAR-DMAPR), Boriavi, Anand-387310, Gujarat, India *Present Address: FAO, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Corresponding author e-mail: maiti.satyabrata@gmail.com
Online published on 29 June, 2023. Abstract Tinospora cordifolia is in use since ancient ages in Indian System of Medicines (ISM), Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and other traditional system of medicines of Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal, Korea, Africa and Egypt. In Ayurveda, it has been classified in Rasayana group of drug that fixes equilibrium of Dosha and improves digestion, metabolism, micro-circulation, tissue purification, nourishment, longevity, immunity and mental competence. T. cordifolia is a dicotyledonous, dioecious, deciduous perennial climber with highly branched stem and characteristic aerial roots. The major bioactive chemical constituents isolated from the species are grouped into alkaloids, terpenoids (diterpenoids and sesquiterpenoid lactones), steroids, glycosides phenolics and starch. Demand for T. cordifolia has gone manifold recently since it has been recommended as preventive and prophylactic medicine for COVID 19. A systematic research has been initiated in many institutions to harness the diverse role as a resource for treatment of diseases with its array of compounds that demonstrate the versatility of the species in terms of therapeutic usages. Germplasm collection, characterization and conservation of T. cordifolia have been initiated and breeding options have been discussed. A concerted research programme needs to be persuaded in understanding various information that would unfold the treasure of the species have been discussed in details. Top Keywords Agrobiodiversity, Conservation, Plant genetic resources, Utilization. Top |