City docs find giloy may raise immunity, but not safe for all

Mumbai: Can giloy, the immune-enhancing herb whose popularity skyrocketed amid the Covid-19 pandemic cause liver failure?

- Malathy.lyer

Last year when Mumbai researchers published their findings about six liver failure cases linked to the consumption of giloy (Tinospora cordifolia), they were criticised by followers of traditional Indian medicine. They suggested the patients may have taken preparations made from a similar-looking medicinal crispa plant Tinospora known to induce liver problems. It resulted in the department of Ayush issuing a clarification of the former's efficacy on October 5, 2021.

The same researchers have now used botany, biochemistry, and genome sequencing to conclusively prove the six patients had indeed taken giloy. "But the reason they suffered liver toxicity is they harboured an auto-immune condition that most likely got expressed by giloy's immune-enhancing ability," said Dr Aabha Nagral, the main researcher from Jaslok Hospital who treated the six patients.