Showing papers on "Withania somnifera published in 1996"

Withania somnifera Dunal (Ashwagandha): potential plant source of a promising drug for cancer chemotherapy and radiosensitization.

Abstract: Study of antitumor and radiosensitizing properties of W. somnifera (Ashwagandha), a well known medicinal plant, have yielded encouraging results. The alcoholic extract of the dried roots of the plant as well as the active component withaferin A isolated from the extract showed significant antitumor and radiosensitizing effects in experimental tumors in vivo, without any noticeable systemic toxicity. Withaferin A gave a sensitizer enhancement ratio of 1.5 for in vitro cell killing of V79 Chinese hamster cells at a non toxic concentration of approximately 2 microM. The mechanism of action of this compound is not known. The studies so far indicate that W. somnifera could prove to be a good natural source of a potent and relatively safe radiosensitizer/chemotherapeutic agent. Further studies are needed to explore the clinical potential of this plant for cancer therapy.

Withaferin A: a new radiosensitizer from the Indian medicinal plant Withania somnifera.

Abstract: Withaferin A, a steroidal lactone isolated from the roots of the Indian medicinal plant Withania somnifera, reduced survival of V79 cells in a dose-dependent manner. LD 50 for survival was 16 muM. One-hour treatment with a nontoxic dose of 2. 1 muM before irradiation significantly enhanced cell killing, giving a sensitizer enhancement ratio (SER) of 1.5 for 37% survival and 1. 4 for 10% survival. SER increased with drug dose, but at higher doses the increased lethality appears to be due to two effects-drug toxicity and radiosensitization. The drug induced a G 2/M block, with a maximum accumulation of cells in G 2-M phase at 4 h after treatment with 10. 5 muM withaferin A for 1 h. The applicability of this drug as a radiosensitizer in cancer therapy needs to be explored.

Use of Withania somnifera Dunal as an adjuvant during radiation therapy.

Abstract: Withania somnifera popularly known as Aswagandha is used in several indigenous drug preparations. Administration of a 75% methanolic extract of the plant was found to significantly increase the total WBC count in normal Balb/c mice and reduce the leucopenia induced by sublethal dose of gamma radiation. Treatment with W. somnifera was found to increase the bone marrow cellularity significantly, the percentage increase being 146.3. Treatment with W. somnifera had normalised the ratio of normochromatic erythrocytes and polychromatic erythrocytes in mice after the radiation exposure. Major activity of W. somnifera seemed to be in the stimulation of stem cell proliferation.

Withanolide production by root cultures of Withania somnifera transformed with Agrobacterium rhizogenes.

Abstract: Transformed root cultures of Withania somnifera Dunal (Solanaceae) were obtained by infecting shoots cultured in vitro with Agrobacterium rhizogenes LBA 9402. They grew axenically in the absence of exogenous plant growth regulators in Murashige and Skoog's medium containing 3% (w/v) sucrose. The root cultures synthesized several withanolides of which withanolide D was isolated and identified. Transformed root (clone HR (1)) showed a growth index of 20.07 and a withanolide D yield of 0.30 mg g(-1) DW. The productivity of withanolide D in transformed roots (0.181 mg 1(-1) d(-1)) was higher than in untransformed root cultures (0.026 mg 1(-1) d(-1)).

Withanolide composition and in vitro culture of Italian Withania somnifera.

Abstract: From Italian plants of Withania somnifera six withanolides were isolated, whose structures allowed us to assign the Italian race of W. somnifera to the Israel chemotype III. In vitro cultures of Italian W. somnifera under different conditions were obtained, as well as infection by agrobacterium rhizogenes. HPLC analysis of IN vitro derived tissues showed low contents of withanolides.

Anticonvulsant Action of Withania somnifera (Aswaganda) Root Extract against Pentylenetetrazol-induced Kindling in Mice

Abstract: Repeated administration of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ, 30 mg/kg, thrice a week for 9 weeks) produced chemical kindling when mice were challenged with a subconvulsive dose of the convulsant These animals were also found to be susceptible to seizures after a subconvulsant dose of a beta-carboline, (FG 7142, 20 mg/kg) Withania somnifera root extract (100 mg/kg) offered a significant protection against PTZ-induced chemical kindling, and the effect was comparable to diazepam (1 mg/kg) The protective effect of W womnifera appears to involve GABAergic mediation

Withania somnifera: winter cherry, Indian ginseng, ashwagandha

Abstract: Withania somnifera comes to western herbal practice from Ayurvedic medicine where it has been traditionally been used in many conditions including coughs, debility, fevers, nausea, senility, tumours and wounds, and for giving strength, improving the complexion and as a sexual stimulant. Modern research has looked at its adaptogenic effects in coping with stress, its anti-inflammatory activity, its effect in lowering blood pressure and its anti-tumour effects. (author abstract)