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.

First record of the carmine spider mite, Tetranychus urticae, infesting Withania somnifera in India.

Abstract: During April-June 2010, red two-spotted carmine spider mites Tetranychus urticae Koch (Trombidiformes: Tetranychidae) were found on aerial apical parts of Ashwagandha Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanales: Solanaceae) plants in the Amritsar District of Punjab Province in the North Indian plains. The mites fed on the leaves, making them shiny white in color, which gradually dried off and were later shed. The pest was identified as T. urticae. To best of our knowledge, this is the first record of this pest infesting W. somnifera in India.

Withania somnifera root powder protects againist post-traumatic stress disorder-induced memory impairment.

Abstract: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is precipitated by exposure to severe traumatic events such as wars, natural disasters, catastrophes, or other traumatic events. Withania somnifera (WS) Dunal (family: Solanaceae) known traditionally as “Ashwaghanda” is used widely in ayurvedic medicine, and known to have positive role in neurodegenerative diseases. In this study, WS effect on impairment of memory due to PTSD was studied in animal models. Single-prolonged stress rat model, which consisted of restrain for 2 h, forced swimming for 20 min, rest for 15 min, and diethyl ether exposure for 1–2 min, was used to induce PTSD animals. The WS root powder extract was administered orally at a dose of 500 mg/kg/day. The radial arm water maze (RAWM) was used to assess spatial learning and memory. Enzymatic assays were used to evaluate changes in oxidative stress biomarkers in the hippocampus following treatments. The result showed that PTSD resulted in short- and long- term memory impairments. Administration of WS prevented this impairment of memory induced by PTSD. Furthermore, WS prevented PTSD induced changes in oxidative stress biomarker in the hippocampus. For quality assessment, the methanolic extract for WS was subjected to UHPLC analysis. A calibration curve for isowithanone as a marker compound was constructed. WS roots content of isowithanone was found to be 0.23% (w/w). In conclusion, WS administration prevented PTSD induced memory impairment probably through preserving changes in antioxidant mechanisms in the hippocampus.

Evaluation of a highly standardized withania somnifera extract on endothelial dysfunction and biomarkers of oxidative stress in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: a randomized, double blind, placebo controlled study

Abstract: Background: Type 2 Diabetes mellitus is a multisystem disorder with oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction. Withania somnifera Dunal ( Ashwagandha ) is shown to have potent antioxidant, hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic effects in several studies. The present study was planned to compare the effect of Withania somnifera on endothelial dysfunction and biomarkers in patients with d iabetes mellitus . Materials and Methods: After taking IEC approval and written informed consent, 66 eligible patients, who are on metformin therapy, were randomized to receive either one capsule of highly standardized aqueous extract of Withania somnifera 250mg twice daily, one capsule of Withania somnifera 500 mg twice daily or Placebo for a duration of 12 weeks. Primary efficacy parameter was a change in endothelial function (measured as change in reflection index of more than 6 %) performed by salbutamol challenge test at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Secondary end points were change in biomarkers of oxidative stress (malondialdehyde, nitric oxide and glutathione), high sensitivity C-reactive protein and change in lipid profile. Safety lab parameters were measured, at baseline and after 12 weeks of treatment. Results: A total of 60 patients completed the study. Twelve weeks of treatment with Withania somnifera 250mg and 500mg produced significant reduction in reflection index (-2.52±1.32% to -7.49±3.49%) and (-2.24±1.00% to -9.03± 2.42%) respectively, suggesting improvement in endothelial function versus placebo (-2.11±1.62% to -0.81± 2.86%). Similarly a significant improvement in biomarkers of oxidative stress, systemic inflammation, lipid parameters and HbA1c levels, compared to baseline and placebo, was observed with Withania somnifera . All treatments are well tolerated. Conclusion: Withania somnifera showed significant improvement in endothelial function, reduction in biomarkers of oxidative stress and systemic inflammation and can be used as a therapeutic adjunctive in patients with type 2 Diabetes mellitus.

Effect of seed extracts of Withania somnifera, Croton tiglium and Hygrophila auriculata on behavior and physiology of Odontotermes obesus (Isoptera, Termitidae)

Abstract: In addition to antibiotic properties, medicinal plants are important sources of chemicals with potential application as pesticides. The present study deals with antitermitic potential of seed extracts of Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng), Croton tiglium (jamalgoota) and Hygrophila auriculata (talimkhana). The seed extracts caused changes in tunneling behaviour, number of bacterial colonies in hindgut and activities of enzymes in midgut of Odontotermes obesus. C. tiglium showed the lowest LT50 (12.85 and 2.65 h) among the three seed extracts at concentrations of 50% (half dilution of the extract) and 100% (extract without dilution), respectively. There was no tunneling in soil treated with 100% concentration of seed extracts of W. somnifera and C. tiglium. Numbers of bacterial colonies in the gut of termites from soils treated with 50% and 100% concentrations of the three plants did not differ significantly, but they differed from those in termites from untreated soil. At 50% concentrations of seed extracts of the tested plants, the difference in hindgut enzyme activities was not obvious, however, at 100% concentrations the enzyme activities in the termites from soils treated with seed extracts significantly differed from controls and differences were also recorded between the plants.

Withania somnifera (Indian ginseng) in diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis of scientific evidence from experimental research to clinical application.

Abstract: Withania somnifera Dunal, also known as Indian ginseng, has been in use since ancient times in the management of diabetes mellitus (DM). This systematic review and meta-analysis evaluated the efficacy/effectiveness, safety and tolerability of W. somnifera in managing DM. Literature search (published/unpublished) was performed from inception to April 2019 in guidelines recommended databases. A total of 6 in-vitro, 13 pre-clinical and 5 clinical studies were included for systematic evaluation. W. somnifera treatment in DM significantly restored the altered levels of blood glucose (experimental data; mean difference, -196.27; 95% confidence interval [-220.96, -171.58]; p < .00001) glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c), insulin, lipid profile, serum and oxidative stress markers with no safety concerns. The results suggest the potential role of W. somnifera in managing DM. However, the available clinical data are not considerably enough to provide novel and sufficiently robust evidence for the use of W. somnifera in managing DM. To further strength the anti-diabetic profile of W. somnifera, well-designed randomized-controlled trial(s) with a larger sample size and longer duration is warranted with evaluation of its effect primarily on blood glucose, HbA1c and insulin. Future research also needs to elucidate the molecular mechanism(s) of W. somnifera including its active principles in DM.