Giloy Satva

Names and identification

Language	Name
English	Giloy Satva
Latin/Botanical	Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers (aqueous starch extract)

Key Phytochemical Constituents

• Berberine (isoquinoline alkaloid)
• Palmatine and jatrorrhizine (alkaloids)
• Tinosporaside (diterpenoid glycoside)
• Cordifolisides A-E (diterpenoid glycosides)
• Arabinogalactan polysaccharide (immunoactive)
• Giloin and giloinin (diterpenoid lactones)
• Sinapic acid (phenolic)
• Columbin (bitter principle)
• Beta-sitosterol
• Tinosporone (clerodane diterpene)

How does it work?

• Immunomodulatory mechanism through arabinogalactan polysaccharide-mediated polyclonal B-cell activation and enhancement of macrophage phagocytic activity, with NF-kB pathway modulation
• Hepatoprotective mechanism through berberine and sinapic acid inhibition of TNF-alpha-mediated pro-inflammatory pathways and enhancement of hepatocyte regeneration
• Antidiabetic mechanism involving isoquinoline alkaloid-mediated improvement of insulin sensitivity and reduction of hepatic glucose output, with antioxidant protection of pancreatic beta cells

Which traditional uses are supported by research?

These summaries come from the source notes, which do not name the studies behind them.

• Traditionally used as Amrita (divine nectar) for immunity, with Rasayana properties. Preclinical and clinical studies have reported immunomodulatory activity.
• Traditionally used for Jwara (fever), including Vishama Jwara (intermittent/malarial fever). Antipyretic activity has been reported in clinical studies in various febrile conditions.
• Traditionally used for Prameha (diabetes). Clinical trials have reported improvement in glycemic parameters.

What do recent studies show?

• Singh J, Saxena E, Chaudhary AR and others 2025. Immunomodulatory properties of Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) leaves and its applications in value-added products. Heliyon. PMID 39758376 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e40948
  Demonstrated immunomodulatory properties through NF-kB pathway modulation and interleukin regulation, with applications in functional food product development.
• Gupta A, Gupta P, Bajpai G 2024. Tinospora cordifolia (Giloy): An insight on the multifarious pharmacological paradigms of a most promising medicinal ayurvedic herb. Heliyon. PMID 38390130 · doi:10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e26125
  Comprehensive review documenting significant immunomodulatory, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, antidiabetic, hepatoprotective, antibacterial, anticancer, and neuroprotective properties of the plant.

Only studies that could be traced to a published paper are listed here. An absence here means we could not identify the source, not that no work exists.

Recent safety updates

• Generally considered safe at doses up to 2000 mg/kg in acute toxicity studies; 28-day repeated dose study (OECD-407 compliant under GLP) confirmed safety up to 1000 mg/kg/day with no mortality or toxicological manifestation
• IMPORTANT: Post-COVID reports of Giloy-associated hepatotoxicity emerged; the related species Tinospora crispa has its own published hepatitis cases, but the Mumbai group identified the plant material its patients had used as T. cordifolia by DNA barcoding (Nagral 2023), and some retrieved products also contained metals or solvents (Kulkarni 2022); autoimmune hepatitis unmasking is a proposed mechanism in susceptible individuals; caution advised in patients with pre-existing liver conditions

Dosage forms and preparation

Dosage Forms: Satva powder (primary - the starch extract itself), Tablet (Satva compressed with excipients), Capsule (Satva-filled), Suspension (Satva in water/honey)

Standard Dosage: 500mg-1g Satva with honey or warm water, twice daily; 500mg Satva tablet/capsule twice daily

Optimal Timing: Traditionally taken on an empty stomach with honey in the morning as a Rasayana, and with warm water before meals in Jwara (fever) and debility

Storage: Extremely hygroscopic - store in double-sealed, moisture-proof containers with desiccant at below 25 deg C and below 40% RH. Once container is opened, use quickly and reseal tightly. Protect from moisture ingress which causes caking and microbial growth.

Marker Compounds: Arabinogalactan polysaccharide, Columbin (co-extracted), Berberine (trace), Tinosporaside (trace), Starch granule morphology (authentication)

Synergistic Combinations

• With honey (Madhu) as traditional Anupana for enhanced immune effect
• With Pippali for bioenhancement of co-extracted alkaloids
• With Ashwagandha for comprehensive immune-adaptogenic formulation
• With Amalaki for antioxidant synergy