Topic
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.
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TL;DR: These results suggest that W. somnifera acts as an insect growth regulator causing disruption of the endocrine mechanism regulating molting and metamorphosis in Spodoptera litura Fabr.
Abstract: Treatment of sixth instar larvae and pupae of the polyphagous pest Spodoptera litura Fabr. (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) with an acetone extract of leaves of Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera L. (Solanaceae), caused toxicity, molt disturbances, formation of larval–pupal, pupal–adult intermediates and adultoids. Our results suggest that W. somnifera acts as an insect growth regulator causing disruption of the endocrine mechanism regulating molting and metamorphosis.
20 citations
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TL;DR: The data suggest that withaferin A induces apoptosis through the mechanism of thiol oxidation in head and neck carcinoma cells through the mechanisms of N-acetylcysteine and dithiothreitol reversal.
Abstract: Withaferin A is a steroidal lactone purified from the Indian medicinal plant, Withania somnifera. Withaferin A has been shown to inhibit the proliferation, metastasis, invasion and angiogenesis of cancer cells. In the present study, we investigated whether withaferin A induces apoptosis in the human head and neck cancer cells, AMC-HN4. Withaferin A markedly increased the sub-G1 cell population and the cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP), which are markers of apoptosis. Pan-caspase inhibitor, z-VAD-fmk (z-VAD), markedly inhibited the withaferin A-induced apoptosis. However, the withaferin A-induced increase in the expression of COX-2 was not affected by treatment with z-VAD. Furthermore, withaferin A upregulated cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression. The COX-2 inhibitor, NS-398, reduced the withaferin A-induced production of prostaglandin E2. However, treatment with NS-398 did not affect the sub-G1 population and the cleavage of PARP. In addition, the withaferin A-induced apoptosis was independent of reactive oxygen species production. Thiol donors [N-acetylcysteine (NAC) and dithiothreitol (DTT)] reversed withaferin A-induced apoptosis. Therefore, our data suggest that withaferin A induces apoptosis through the mechanism of thiol oxidation in head and neck carcinoma cells.
20 citations
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TL;DR: Withania somnifera was found to be more efficacious than scopolamine in reversing haloperidol induced catalepsy in albino mice and a clear correlation between the SOD levels and cataleptic scores was observed.
Abstract: The objective of the study was to evaluate the anticataleptic effect of Withania somnifera (WS) extract, on haloperidol-induced catalepsy in albino mice. Catalepsy was induced with haloperidol (1 mg/kg) i.p. in five groups of male albino mice (n = 6). Three groups received Withania somnifera extract (1.7, 4.25, 8.5 mg/kg) respectively, one group received scopolamine (1 mg/kg) and one group received the vehicle (1% gum acacia) orally, 30 min prior to haloperidol administration. Catalepsy was measured by using standard bar test at 30, 60, 90, 120 and 240 min. This constituted the acute study. For the chronic study, the drugs were administered for 6 more days. Catalepsy was again measured on day 7. Animals were then sacrificed by cervical dislocation and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity was estimated in the brain. In this study, Withania somnifera extract treated groups showed a dose dependent reduction in cataleptic scores, both in the acute and chronic study. The SOD activity in brain was also found to be lowered in the WS (4.25 mg, 8.5 mg/kg) treated groups. In conclusion, Withania somnifera was found to be more efficacious than scopolamine in reversing haloperidol induced catalepsy. A clear correlation between the SOD levels and cataleptic scores was observed. We believe that the antioxidant properties of this drug could have contributed to the anticataleptic effect.
20 citations
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TL;DR: Withaferin A (WA), isolated from Withania somnifera has cytotoxic and inhibitory action on protein synthesis and increases the tumor response during repeated hyperthermia by reducing the magnitude of thermotolerance developed and by decreasing the recovery time from thermot tolerance.
Abstract: Protein synthesis inhibitors can suppress the development of thermotolerance in tumor tissues on repeated heating Withaferin A (WA), isolated from Withania somnifera has cytotoxic and inhibitory a
19 citations
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TL;DR: An attempt was made to quantify withaferine A in herbal extract and polyherbal formulations produced from Withania somnifera by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC), which was found to be reproducible, accurate, and precise.
Abstract: Withania somnifera has been used in Ayurvedic medicine for treatment of depression and inflammation, and as an aphrodisiac. It contains many phytochemicals such as Withaferine A, withanine, anahygrine, tropine, and withanolides. Of these, withaferine A is considered to be the most active compound. Withaferine A was estimated in herbal extract and polyherbal formulations by high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC). As there is no official HPTLC protocol for quantitation of the above phytochemicals, an attempt was made to quantify withaferine A in herbal extract and polyherbal formulations produced from Withania somnifera. Precoated silica gel G (aluminium backed) plates were used as stationary phase and toluene:ethyl acetate: formic acid (50 : 15 : 5) was used as mobile phase. Detection and quantification were performed by densitometry at λ 213 nm. The linear range was 1 μg to 3 μg. This HPTLC method was found to be reproducible, accurate, and precise.
19 citations