Phytochemicals, Antimicrobial and Cytotoxic Potential Study of Tinospora cordifolia

Aims: Tinospora cordifolia is a herb used in the traditional folk medicine due to their health benefits. Studies reported the biochemical composition and some biological properties of the plant stem. The aim of the current study was to investigate the antimicrobial and cytotoxic properties from the extract of Tinospora cordifolia stem. Place and Duration of Study: The study was accomplished by eleven months in the Department of Pharmacy, University of Science and Technology Chittagong (USTC), Bangladesh.  Methodology: Presence of phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids and tannins, saponins were evaluated. Antimicrobial activity of the stem extract was assayed separately using an agar diffusion method against some gram negative and gram positive bacteria. The cytotoxic potential of the stem extract was evaluated by the Brine-Shrimp Lethality Assay mathod.  Results: The zone of inhibition formed by the methanolic extract in the antimicrobial assays was significant. In addition, cytotoxicity of the extract was found to be significant as compared to the standard gallic acid in Brine-Shrimp lethality assay. Conclusion: The methanolic extract of Tinospora cordifolia may possess significant antimicrobial property which requires more studies to isolate the specific bioactive compound for developing a new antimicrobial agent from this plant.