Review on some plants of Indian traditional medicine with antioxidant activity.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to review the literature regarding Withania somnifera (ashwagandha, WS) a commonly used herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Specifically, the literature was reviewed for articles pertaining to chemical properties, therapeutic benefits, and toxicity. DESIGN: This review is in a narrative format and consists of all publications relevant to ashwagandha that were identified by the authors through a systematic search of major computerized medical databases; no statistical pooling of results or evaluation of the quality of the studies was performed due to the widely different methods employed by each study. RESULTS: Studies indicate ashwagandha possesses anti-inflammatory, antitumor, antistress, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hemopoetic, and rejuvenating properties. It also appears to exert a positive influence on the endocrine, cardiopulmonary, and central nervous systems. The mechanisms of action for these properties are not fully understood. Toxicity studies reveal that ashwagandha appears to be a safe compound. CONCLUSION: Preliminary studies have found various constituents of ashwagandha exhibit a variety of therapeutic effects with little or no associated toxicity. These results are very encouraging and indicate this herb should be studied more extensively to confirm these results and reveal other potential therapeutic effects. Clinical trials using ashwagandha for a variety of conditions should also be conducted. (Altern Med Rev 2000;5(4) 334-346)

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Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha): a review.

Ayurveda, the traditional Indian medicine (TIM) and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) remain the most ancient yet living traditions. There has been increased global interest in traditional medicine. Efforts to monitor and regulate herbal drugs and traditional medicine are underway. China has been successful in promoting its therapies with more research and science-based approach, while Ayurveda still needs more extensive scientific research and evidence base. This review gives an overview of basic principles and commonalities of TIM and TCM and discusses key determinants of success, which these great traditions need to address to compete in global markets.

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Ayurveda and traditional Chinese medicine: a comparative overview.

time, probably by stimulation of the hepatic microsomal enzyme system3. Similar properties were exhibited by its roots. However, the petroleum ether extract (PEE) of the roots enhanced pentobarbitone sleeping time, probably due to CNS depression4. The PEE of the seed of Pongomia pinnata was further tested for nootropic activity in an experimental model of Alzheimer’s disease (created by ibotenic acid induced lesioning of nuclear basalis magnocellularis). It reversed both, the cognitive deficits and the reduction in cholinergic markers after 2 weeks of treatment. Reversal of perturbed cholinergic function appears to be the possible mechanism5.

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Pharmacology of medicinal plants and natural products

This review attempts to portray the discovery and development of medicine from galenical to genomical, with a focus on the potential and role of ayurveda. Natural products, including plants, animals and minerals have beenthe basis of treatment of human diseases. Indigenous people derived therapeutic materials from thousands of plants; however discovering medicines or poisons remains a vital question. Ayurveda is a traditional Indian medicinal system being practised for thousands of years. Considerable research on pharmacognosy, chemistry, pharmacology and clinical therapeutics has been carried out on ayurvedic medicinal plants. Many of the major pharmaceutical corporations have renewed their strategies in favour of natural products drug discovery and it is important to follow systems biology applications to facilitate the process. Numerous drugs have entered the international pharmacopoeia through the study of ethnopharmacology and traditional medicine. For ayurveda and other traditional medicines newer guidelines of standardization, manufacture and quality control are required. Employing a unique holistic approach, ayurvedic medicines are usually customized to an individual constitution. Traditional knowledge-driven drug development can follow a reverse pharmacology path and reduce time and cost of development. New approaches to improve and accelerate the joint drug discovery and development process are expected to take place mainly from innovation in drug target elucidation and lead structure discovery. Powerful new technologies such as automated separation techniques, high-throughput screening and combinatorial chemistry are revolutionizing drug discovery. Traditional knowledge will serve as a powerful search engine and most importantly, will greatly facilitate intentional, focused and safe natural products research to rediscover the drug discovery process.

Sham Diwanay

Papers

Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha.

Studies on immunomodulatory activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extracts in experimental immune inflammation.

Immunoprotection by botanical drugs in cancer chemotherapy.

Immunoadjuvant potential of Asparagus racemosus aqueous extract in experimental system.

Immune response modulation to DPT vaccine by aqueous extract of Withania somnifera in experimental system