Withania somnifera

About: Withania somnifera is a research topic. Over the lifetime, 2116 publications have been published within this topic receiving 43404 citations. The topic is also known as: Ashwaganda & Indian ginseng.

In vitro Antimicrobial Activity and Qualitative Phytochemical Analysis of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal Extracts

Abstract: The antibacterial activity of various solvent extracts of stem of Withania somnifera was evaluated against gram negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Serratia marcescens, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and gram positive bacterium Bacillus cereus by agar well diffusion method. While antifungal activity of same extracts was evaluated against Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus oryzae, Penicillium chrysogenum and Trichoderma viridae. All the extracts showed significant antimicrobial potential against different test bacteria. Most susceptible organism in the investigation was S. marcescens against which all of the plant extracts showed zone of inhibition. Maximum antibacterial activity was recorded for methanol extract of W. somnifera stem against E. coli (ZOI of 17.67±1.52 and AI of 0.974) followed by B. cereus (ZOI of 15 ± 1.0 and AI of 0.993). Ethyl acetate extract was least inhibitory towards all the bacterial strains. The range of MIC of extracts recorded was 3.125 to 50 mg/ml. In the present investigation lowest MIC value 3.125 mg/ml was recorded for methanol extract against B. cereus and E. coli. In case of antifungal study, most susceptible organism in the investigation was T. viridae against which all of the plant extracts showed inhibition zone. A. flavus, A. oryzae and P. chrysogenum were proven to be resistant against all the extracts used in the study. Lowest MIC value 50 mg/ml was recorded for methanol and ethyl acetate extracts against T. viridae. Qualitative phytochemical analysis indicated presence of different phytochemicals in different extracts.

An extract of Withania somnifera attenuates endothelin-1-stimulated pigmentation in human epidermal equivalents through the interruption of PKC activity within melanocytes.

Abstract: Redox imbalances have been shown to be closely linked to a variety of altered cellular responses and profoundly affect intracellular signaling pathways, especially the PKC/MAPK pathway which is a major pathway involved in regulating melanogenesis within human melanocytes. To elucidate the effects of redox balance regulation on epidermal hyperpigmentary disorders, an antioxidant-rich herb extract of Withania somnifera was used to assess its effect on endothelin-1 (EDN1)-stimulated pigmentation in human epidermis equivalents and its biological mechanisms analysed. Addition of the Withania somnifera extract (10 µg/mL) elicited a marked depigmenting effect on EDN1 (10 nm)-stimulated pigmentation which was accompanied by a significant decrease in eumelanin content. Real-time RT-PCR and western blotting revealed that the stimulated expression of melanocyte-specific mRNAs and proteins, including microphthalmia associated transcription factor (MITF), was significantly suppressed at days 7–10 of culture by the Withania somnifera extract (10 µg/mL), suggesting an impairment in intracellular signaling upstream of gene expression. Signaling analysis revealed that in Withania somnifera extract (10 µg/mL)-treated human melanoma cells in culture, there was a marked deficiency in EDN1 (10 nm)-stimulated phosphorylation of Raf-1, MEK, ERK, MITF and Cyclic AMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) at 15 min after EDN1 treatment. Consistently, treatment with withaferin A, a major component of the Withania somnifera extract, at concentrations of 10–50 µm also significantly down-regulated the EDN1 stimulated phosphorylation of Raf-1, MEK, ERK, MITF and CREB at 15 min after EDN1 treatment. Since Raf-1 is phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC) activity, these findings indicate that the Withania somnifera extract attenuates EDN1-stimulated pigmentation by preferentially inhibiting EDN1-triggered PKC activity. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Utility of a multidisciplinary approach for genome diagnostics of cultivated and wild germplasm resources of medicinal Withania somnifera , and the status of new species, W. ashwagandha , in the cultivated taxon

Abstract: Realizing the inconsistencies that exist in the extent and nature of differentiation in the Withania somnifera genetic resources in India, the 21 cultivated and wild accessions, and the two hybrids (cultivated × wild accessions and vice versa) were investigated for morphological, cytogenetical, chemical profiling, and crossability features. Their nuclear and chloroplast genomes were also assayed at the nucleotide sequence level, and by use of DNA markers. Chloroplast DNA diversity and somatic chromosome number (2n = 48) were not helpful in identifying the differences. Other approaches, on the other hand, especially restriction endonuclease digests, types and sequence length composition of ITS 1 and ITS 2 of nuclear ribosomal DNA, AFLP fingerprinting, and crossability barriers unambiguously provided startling discrete differences between the cultivated and wild accessions, indicating a clear division of W. somnifera into two distinct lineages. These data, therefore, are indicative of the fact that because of the unique characteristics of its nuclear genome, and strong crossability barriers vis-a-vis wild accessions of W. somnifera, the cultivated accessions should be relegated to the rank of the separate species, W. ashwagandha.

Protective effect of spermatogenic activity of Withania Somnifera (Ashwagandha) in galactose stressed mice

Abstract: In recent years, population is facing many health problems like chronic non-communicable diseases like Cancer, Stroke, Diabetes, Cardiovascular disorders and Reproductive disorders fro very early age. Urbanization and mechanization have changed the life style of the whole population which has resulted in greater exposure to pollution, high consumption of salt and fat containing food, low physical activity and stress. Withania may be having antioxidant property; protecting male reproductive organs from ROS and can avoid infertility. The overall findings may be helpful to the population not only to treat infertility but also to maintain normal sexual life.