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.

An attempt to conserve withania somnifera (l.) dunal - a highly essential medicinal plant, through in vitro callus culture

Abstract: A simple effective protocol was developed for conservation and plant propagation through callus cultures of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha). Seed germination percentage reached a maximum value of 64.3% on ½ MS + GA3 0.25 mg/l at third week of culture. Three different basal media compared for seed germination, MS was most effective. Out of 25 combinations of growth regulators evaluated, MS + 1.0 mg/l BA + 1.0 mg/l 2, 4-D found to be best for callus induction and proliferation regardless to explants. Among the four different explants tested, In vivo leaf explant was found most suitable for callus induction, proliferation and fresh weight gain. The highest callus induction frequency percentage 86.4% was recorded with In vivo leaf explant whereas, 43.4% in In vitro leaf explant at day 30 on MS augmented with 1.0 mg/l BA + 1.0 mg/l 2,4-D. Among different growth regulator combinations tested in augmentation with MS for shoot initiation and elongation, 2.0 mg/l BA + 1.0 mg/l NAA was the best eliciting a maximum of 82.3% shoot induction with highest shoot number 4.8 shoots/callus. The original callus was sub-cultured 2 times on fresh shoot multiplication medium after each harvest of the shoots. Of three different auxins tested for In vitro rooting, IBA was most effective compared to IPA and NAA. Half-strength MS medium containing IBA at an optimum concentration of 2.0 mg/l induced rooting in 83.1% of the In vitro derived shoots. The rooted plantlets were acclimated and eventually established in soil.

Preliminary phytochemical studies of medicinal plant drug: withania somnifera linn

Abstract: Withania somnifera Linn is the most important plant commonly known as Ashwagandha belongs to the family solanaceae. It is an important medicinal plant that has been used in Ayurvedic and indigenous medicine for over 3,000 years. Ashwagandha contains alkaloids as well as steroidal lactones. Anahygrine, Anaferine, sominiferine, sominiferinine, withanine and withananine are chemical compounds present in ashwagandha. Ashwagandha is used in asthma, bronchitis, rheumatoid arthritis. Secondary metabolites present in medicinal plants are responsible for curing various diseases, Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, tannins, flavonoids, terpenoids, coumarins, quinines, cardiac glycosides, xantho proteins, glycosides, steroids, phenols, resins, carboxylic acid groups in varying concentrations and the maximum solubility of all the phytochemicals was observed in methanol, water and chloroform extractions, but resins, coumarins are absent in the petroleum ether, acetone, and also coumarins, carboxylic acid, quinines, xantho proteins are completely absent in the Petroleum ether. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the qualitative analysis of Withania somnifera phytochemicals in various solvents such as methanol, chloroform, petroleum ether, acetone and distilled water

Withanamide and withanolide compositions and method of use thereof

Abstract: Novel isolated and purified withanamides and withanolides are described. In particular, compounds from Withania somnifera fruit are the preferred source of the withanamides and withanolides, although they can be from other plant sources. In addition to their use as powerful antioxidants, the withanamides and withanolides can be useful for the treatment of depression, Alzheimer's Disease, obesity and migraine headaches.

Effects of aqueous extract of Withania somnifera on some liver biochemical and histopathological parameters in male guinea pigs.

Abstract: Organophosphorus (OP) insecticides constitute one of the most widely used classes of pesticides being employed for both agricultural and landscape pest control. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of dimethoate (DM), an organophosphorus insecticide, on some biochemical and histopathological parameters in liver of adult male guinea pigs as well as the possible role of Withania somnifera extract in attenuation of DM-induced hepatotoxicity. The animals were divided randomly into 5 groups and kept at 5 animals per group in an environmentally controlled condition with free access to food and water ad libitum. The first group was served as a control group and administered with olive oil orally; the group II received aqueous extract of W. somnifera (100 mg kg(-1) b.wt.) orally, group III, IV and V was administered with DM (14 mg kg(-1); 1/25LD50) for 21 days orally. Group IV and V received 100 mg kg(-1) of W. somnifera extract and silymarin, respectively half hour before DM administration for 21 days. DM caused a statistically significant increase in the serum level of liver enzymes (AST, ALT, ALP) when compared to control animals, whereas, W. somnifera and silymarin pre-treatment to the DM-intoxicated animals resulted in a significant normalization of the enzymes activities. On the other hand W. somnifera extract reduced the incidence of histopathological changes such as cytoplasmic vacuolization and degeneration in nuclei, rupture of epithelia lining the central vein, widened sinusoidal space and lymphocyte infiltration induced by DM treatment in guinea pigs. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that W. somnifera aqueous extract could protect the liver against DM-induced oxidative damage.