Paper Key : IRJ************295
Author: Mr. Kiran Dnyaneshwar Mahajan,Ms. Vaishnavi Bhanudas Shingate,Ms. Apsara Rajjak Shaikh,Ms. Namrata Subhash Patil,Ms. Rutuja Prashant Gahiwad,Ms. Kajal Pratap Patil,Mr. Ajinkya Sudhir Patil,Ms. Darshana Yashwant Pawar
Date Published: 23 Oct 2023
Abstract
Ayurveda is a very old traditional medicine still used in India today. There are certain plants with known medical properties that are used in Ayurveda, and one of them is Guduchi or Tinospora cordifolia. It's known for its anti-inflammatory and immune-boosting effects, and it was even recommended for use in COVID-19 care by the Indian government. However, in 2021, a case series was published by Aabha Nagral that talked about six patients who developed liver problems after taking Guduchi or Guduchi-containing products during the COVID-19 pandemic. This was unexpected because Guduchi is considered safe. This article examines the different types of plants that are sometimes sold as Guduchi, their effects, and whether they can be harmful. It turns out that while real Guduchi is safe, there are other plants with similar names, like Tinospora sinensis and Tinospora crispa, which can be toxic to the liver. The article also noted that the patients in Nagral's case series had different histories and consumed various Guduchi products, but the authenticity of these products wasn't confirmed. After looking at existing research, it seems unlikely that genuine Guduchi caused the liver problems in these patients. It's more probable that they consumed the wrong plant. It's important to investigate the details of the products they used to prevent this from happening to others. Nagral's article also raises concerns about the problem of selling fake or impure herbal products and the need for a better system to monitor and report adverse effects in India.