Tinospora cordifolia (wild) Hook.f. (Thomas) is an important medicinal plant distributed throughout in Sri Lanka and commonly known as Rasakinda in Sinhala and Giloy in English. It is widely used in Sri Lankan traditional medical system and Ayurveda for the treatment of diabetes mellitus, fever, arthritis, skin diseases and for Rasayana (rejuvenating) therapies due to its anti-inflammatory, hypoglyceamic, immunomodulatory, antioxident, anti-allergy, antipyretic, antiarthritic and various other medicinal properties. Imported T. cordifolia stems and Sri Lankan grown T. cordifolia stems can be found in Sri Lankan herbal market. Moreover, different varieties of Tinospora species known as Tikthakinda, Bukinda and Gatakinda are available in the market under the name of Rasakinda which leads to adulteration. Hence, in this research an attempt was made to develop standards for genuine T. cordifolia grown in Sri Lanka. Stems of T. cordifolia evaluated for macroscopical, microscopical, physico-chemical, phytochemical constituents, TLC and HPTLC fingerprint patterns. Microscopical examinations of T. cordifolia stem exhibited the wheel shaped appearance at the transverse cut surface, which is a main characteristic feature of the family Menespermaceae. Stem also showed the mucilage cells and abundant starch granules. Percentages of total ash, water soluble ash and acid insoluble ash, were 9.1%+0.1, 2.31%+0.1, <0.1% respectively. Among the percentages of extractable matter of T. cordifolia, highest amount was shown in hot water extract (16.2 %+0.3). Heavy metals (Hg, As, Cd, Pb) were within the limits given in WHO guidelines. Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of phenols, saponins, tannins, steroids, flavonoids, terpenoids and cardiac glycosides. TLC fingerprint of T. cordifolia was developed using butanol: ethyl acetate: acetic acid: water in a ratio of 5: 8: 6:2 v/v and compared with one of its marker compound, Berberine. The HPTLC fingerprint patt ern of T. cordifolia showed a spot bearing the same Rf value corresponds to Berberine, at wavelength 254 nm. In conclusion, the results obtained from this study can be used as a standard reference for Sri Lankan grown T. cordifolia stems.
