Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.), belonging to the family Menispermaceae, is known to exhibit a wide array of pharmacological properties such as antiulcer, anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic properties. In the present study an attempt has been made to evaluate the antioxidant and glucose uptake potential of T. cordifolia leaves extract in vitro. Phytochemical analysis of the leaves extract revealed the presence of phenols, alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, saponins, tannins, phytosterols and triterpenoides. The free radical scavenging activity of the leaves extract was determined against 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2,2'-azino-bis(3- ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) ABTS, Nitric oxide(NO) and Superoxide Scavenging assays. At a concentration of 800μg/ml, the leaves extract significantly scavenged 87.1 % of DPPH radicals and 86 % ABTS radicals. The leaves extract exhibited a maximum of 88.1% superoxide scavenging activity and 80.1% nitric oxide scavenging activity. Further, T. cordifolia leaves extract increases the uptake of glucose in rat L6 myotubes. These findings suggest that T. cordifolia possess antioxidant as well as glucose uptake potential and has complimentary potency to develop as an antihyperglycemic agent for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.
