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.

Extracts from Aloe ferox and Withania somnifera inhibit Candida albicans and Neisseria gonorrhoea

Abstract: Herbal medicines play a vital role in the treatment of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), especially in the remote areas of South Africa where clinics and hospitals are sparsely located. Aloe ferox and Withania somnifera are among the southern African plants commonly used for the treatment of (STIs). This paper reports on the in vitro antimicrobial activities of water and methanol extracts from the two plants on Neisseria gonorrhoea and Candida albicans, common causes of STIs in rural South Africa. Extracts from both species together with pure aloin from A. ferox, were evaluated for activity against six strains of N. gonorrhoea and nine strains of C. albicans. The extracts showed activity against N. gonorrhoea at concentrations of ranging from 0.5 (methanol extracts from both) to 10 (water extract of W. somnifera only) mg/ml while pure aloin inhibited the growth of both microorganisms. Only the methanol extract of W. somnifera was effective against C. albicans at a concentration of 20 mg/ml.

Neuroprotective effects of Withania somnifera Dunn. in hippocampal sub-regions of female albino rat.

Abstract: The neuroprotective effects of W. somnifera were studied on stressed adult female Swiss albino rats. Experimental rats were subjected to immobilization stress for 14 h and were treated with a root powder extract of W. somnifera available as Stresscom capsules (Dabur India Ltd). Control rats were maintained in completely, non stressed conditions. Thionin stained serial coronal sections (7 microm) of brain passing through the hippocampal region of stressed rats (E(1) group) demonstrated 85% degenerating cells (dark cells and pyknotic cells) in the CA(2) and CA(3) sub-areas. Treatment with W. somnifera root powder extract significantly reduced (80%) the number of degenerating cells in both the areas. The study thus demonstrates the antistress neuroprotective effects of W. somnifera.

The neuroprotective effect of Withania somnifera root extract in MPTP-intoxicated mice: An analysis of behavioral and biochemical varibles

Abstract: We studied the influence of Withania somnifera (Ws) root extract (100 mg/kg body weight) on parkinsonism induced by 1-methyl 4-phenyl 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP; i.p, 20 mg/kg body weight for 4 days), via the analysis of behavioral features and the oxidant-antioxidant imbalance in the midbrain of mice. A significant alteration in behavior, increased levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS), and increased activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT) were noticed in this region of brain in MPTP-treated mice. Oral treatment with the root extract resulted in a significant improvement in the mice’s behavoiur and antioxidant status, along with a significant reduction in the level of lipid peroxidation. The results indicated that at least part of the chronic stress-induced pathology may be due to oxidative stress, which is mitigated by Ws. Further studies are needed to assess the precise mechanism to support the clinical use of the plant as an antiparkinsonic drug.

Possible neuroprotective effect of Withania somnifera root extract against 3-nitropropionic acid-induced behavioral, biochemical, and mitochondrial dysfunction in an animal model of Huntington's disease.

Abstract: Huntington's disease (HD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that results from the destruction of neurons in the basal ganglia, and oxidative stress has been implicated in its pathogenesis 3-Nitropropionic acid (3-NP), a potent neurotoxin, has been reported to induce oxidative/nitrosative stress and causes neurobehavioral and biochemical changes that mimic HD in humans It also inhibits complex II of the mitochondrial electron transport chain, thereby causing cellular energy deficit In the present work, we evaluated the effects of a well-known antioxidant on behavioral, biochemical, and mitochondrial dysfunction induced by 3-NP The study was designed to investigate the effects of Withania somnifera root extract against 3-NP-induced gait abnormalities, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction in striatum and cortex of rat brain Intraperitoneal administration of 3-NP (10 mg/kg for 14 days) caused a loss in body weight and a decline in motor function (locomotor activity and impaired rotarod activity) Chronic treatment with W somnifera root extracts (100 and 200 mg/kg) for a period of 2 weeks dose-dependently improved 3-NP-induced behavioral, biochemical, and enzymatic changes (P < 05) Biochemical analysis revealed that systemic 3-NP administration significantly increased lipid peroxidation and nitrite and lactate dehydrogenase enzyme levels, depleted antioxidant enzyme (superoxide dismutase and catalase) levels, and blocked ATP synthesis by inhibiting the mitochondrial complex activity in the different regions (striatum and cortex) of the brain Chronic administration of W somnifera root extract (100 and 200 mg/kg) dose-dependently restored biochemical alterations induced by chronic 3-NP treatment (P < 05) These findings suggest that neuroprotective actions of W somnifera are mediated via its antioxidant activity However, further studies are required to elucidate the molecular mechanisms involved in order to support the clinical use of the plant extract as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of HD