tinospora sinensis

Tinospora sinensis, a member of the Menispermaceae family, is a medicinal plant used extensively in Traditional Chinese, Tibetan, and Ayurvedic medicine. Traditionally known by names such as "Lezhe" in Tibetan, it has been used to treat a wide range of ailments including rheumatic arthralgia, fever, jaundice, diabetes, and various inflammatory conditions. Preclinical research has begun to validate these uses, revealing a multitude of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids (e.g., berberine, palmatine), terpenoids, lignans, and glycosides (e.g., Tinosinenside A). These constituents contribute to its diverse pharmacological activities. The plant's anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects are primarily mediated through the inhibition of pathways like TLR4/NF-κB/NLRP3, which reduces the production of inflammatory cytokines. Other demonstrated mechanisms include α-glucosidase inhibition for diabetes, anticancer effects via ROS-mediated apoptosis and mTOR pathway inhibition in colon cancer cells, and antimalarial activity by targeting parasitic enzymes. Despite its therapeutic potential, its clinical application is not well-established, and it is often confused with or substituted for its close relative, *Tinospora cordifolia*.

Other names

LezheKuanjintengQing JiaoGreen VineShen-Jin-Teng