Tinospora tuberculata suppresses nitric oxide synthesis in mouse macrophages

We have obtained evidence that co-incubation of thioglycollate-elicited per itoneal macrophages with an aqueous extract of Tinospora tuberculata inhibi ts lipopolysaccharide-stimulated excessive production of nitric oxide (NO) in vitro. This effect is concentration-dependent and appears to involve sup pression of both inducible nitric oxide synthase (MOS) activity and NADPH-d iaphorase activity, thus altering NO production. As NO is one of the critic al mediators in various disorders and iNOS inhibitors may have therapeutic potential, these results may explain some aspects of the multifunctional pr operties of Tinospora tuberculata, which has been used in various folk reme dies in southeast Asia and China.