Updates on Tropical Medicinal Plant Tinospora cordifolia as an Antimicrobial Shrub to Combat Respiratory Infections

Abstract

Abstract: Respiratory infections are a universal issue with high death rates caused by several pathogens. It makes it obligatory to explore novel antimicrobial drugs to cure lung infections. Phytochemicals, which are herbal compounds found in plants, exhibit antimicrobial properties and contain substances like tannins, terpenoids, flavonoids, etc. Now, researchers have opted for novel strategies for drug invention through the screening of medicinal plants. These plants offer a lavish source of new structures and phyto moieties, making them precious in the development of effective treatments. Many current researchers recommend medicinal plant formulations to cure different respiratory disorders. Among these are Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers (T. cordifolia) shrubs. The plant T. cordifolia is mainly claimed for its antispasmodic, antipyretic, antineoplastic, hypolipidemic, hypoglycemic, immunopotentiating, and hepatoprotective pharmacological properties. This review provides insight into T. cordifolia, which plays a significant role in combating infectious ailments and its significance in maintaining the health of mankind. This review article recapitulates the plant TC and specifies different bioactive components that showed antimicrobial action. The present study outlined various investigations that have been done on T. cordifolia, i.e., in-silico, toxicity, and antimicrobial, which will explore the opportunity in the development of novel medications against microbial infections. In addition, this study depicts the application of T. cordifolia in culinary, beverage and marketed products that were found helpful in the treatment of various disorders and recent updates on T. cordifolia. The literature acknowledges that this natural antimicrobial plant will help to lay the foundation for upgrading exhaustive pharmacological and pharmaceutical studies to better understand the clinical relevance and application of T. cordifolia in the prevention and treatment of life-threatening respiratory infections.