Background

• Tylophora is a climbing perennial plant that grows in India. The leaves of tylophora have been traditionally used for treating asthma, earning the name of Tylophora asthmatica. In folk medicine, it has been used for other respiratory problems such as allergies, bronchitis and the common cold. It is also believed by some to have laxative and other purgative properties. Additionally, it has been employed to treat dysentery and joint pain.
• The only available clinical trials done on tylophora test its effectiveness in bronchial asthma. To date, there are no trials available examining its effectiveness in treating other conditions.
• The occurrence of adverse events that occur when the leaf of tylophora is taken orally seems to be reduced when the leaves are taken in capsule form instead of chewing.

References

• Dikshith TS, Raizada RB, Mulchandani NB. Toxicity of pure alkaloid of Tylophora asthamatica in male rat. Indian J Exp Biol 1990;28(3):208-212.
  View Abstract
• Farnsworth NR, Bingel AS, Cordell GA, et al. Potential value of plants as sources of new antifertility agents I. J Pharm Sci 1975;64(4):535-598.
  View Abstract
• Gopalakrishnan C, Shankaranarayanan D, Nazimudeen SK, et al. Effect of tylophorine, a major alkaloid of Tylophora indica, on immunopathological and inflammatory reactions. Indian J Med Res 1980;71:940-948.
  View Abstract
• Gupta S, George P, Gupta V, et al. Tylophora indica in bronchial asthma--a double blind study. Indian J Med Res 1979;69:981-989.
  View Abstract
• Mathew KK, Shivpuri DN. Treatment of asthma with alkaloids of Tylophora indica - a double blind study. Aspects of Allergy Appl Immunol 1974;7:166-179.
• Raji Y, Hammed AI, Adesanwo JK, et al. Antiulcerogenic effects of Tylophora conspicua in male rats. Phytother Res 2000;14(5):378-380.
  View Abstract
• Shivpuri DN, Menon MP, Prakash D. A crossover double-blind study on Tylophora indica in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. J Allergy 1969;43(3):145-150.
  View Abstract
• Shivpuri DN, Menon MP, Parkash D. Preliminary studies in Tylophora indica in the treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. J Assoc Physicians India 1968;16(1):9-15.
  View Abstract
• Shivpuri DN, Singhal SC, Parkash D. Treatment of asthma with an alcoholic extract of tylophora indica: a cross-over, double-blind study. Ann Allergy 1972;30(7):407-412.
  View Abstract
• Thiruvengadam KV, Haranath K, Sudarsan S, et al. Tylophora indica in bronchial asthma (a controlled comparison with a standard anti-asthmatic drug). J Indian Med Assoc 10-1-1978;71(7):172-176.
  View Abstract
• Udupa AL, Udupa SL, Guruswamy MN. The possible site of anti-asthmatic action of Tylophora asthmatica on pituitary-adrenal axis in albino rats. Planta Med 1991;57(5):409-413.
  View Abstract