Comparative in vitro Antioxidant Efficacy of Tinospora cordifolia Stem Extracts and Fractions Versus Berberine

Abstract

Introduction: Tinospora cordifolia is a well-known medicinal plant in traditional Indian medicine, valued for its rich phytochemical composition. Among its therapeutic properties, its antioxidant potential has gained attention for possible health and medicinal applications. Methods: The study evaluated the antioxidant capacity of methanolic stem extracts of T. cordifolia and its bioactive compound, berberine. Five standard in vitro assays were employed: DPPH, hydroxyl radical, nitric oxide, superoxide scavenging, and ferric reducing antioxidant power. The activity of methanol extracts was compared with fractions prepared using chloroform, dichloromethane, and hexane. Results: The methanol extract demonstrated significantly higher antioxidant activity than the other fractions, with activity increasing in a concentration-dependent manner (0.02–0.1 mg/mL). The antioxidant effect of the methanol extract was comparable to that of isolated berberine, indicating that both possess strong free radical scavenging properties. Conclusion: The findings confirm that T. cordifolia stems are a rich source of antioxidant phytochemicals. Both the methanolic extract and berberine show potential as natural antioxidant agents, supporting their possible use in medicinal formulations.