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.

3beta-Methoxy Derivation of Withaferin-a Attenuates its AnticancerPotency: Bioinformatics and Molecular Evidences

Abstract: Withaferin A (Wi-A), a potent anticancer withanolide extracted from Withania somnifera- a tropical medicinal plant, was earlier shown to activate p53 tumor suppressor and oxidative stress pathways in cancer cells causing either growth arrest or apoptosis. In view of the information that alkyl derivatives of several bioactive steroidal compounds exhibit improved stability and activity through mechanisms that have not been completely understood, we investigated the effect of Withaferin A and its methoxy-derivative (2,3-dihydro-3- methoxy-Withaferin A) on human cancer cells to analyze the molecular interactions and efficacy. Systematic bioinformatics and molecular experimental approaches comprising expression analysis and imaging techniques were employed to demonstrate the interactions of Withaferin A and 3β-methoxy Withaferin A with their molecular targets. We demonstrate that 3β-methoxy derivation of Withaferin A possess weaker docking potential to its molecular targets and therefore possess attenuated anticancer activity as compared to Withaferin A, and was affirmed by a number of biochemical and in vitro experiments. Based on the Bioinformatics and experimental data we report that the 3β-methoxy derivation of Withaferin A attenuates its anticancer activities, and hence sufficient care is warranted in the use of these phytochemicals as anticancer reagents.

Comparative study of anti-inflammatory activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) with hydrocortisone in experimental animals (Albino rats)

Abstract: Title: Comparative Study of Anti-inflammatory activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) with Hydrocortisone in Experimental Animals (Albino Rats) Objective: To compare the acute and chronic anti-inflammatory effect of Withania somnifera with Corticosteroid (Hydrocortisone). Method: After approval from Institutional Animal Ethics Committee, albino rats of either sex (Wt. 150-250 gms) were divided into 4 groups of 6 animals in each. Acute inflammation was produced by sub-plantar injection of 0.1 ml of 1% freshly prepared Carrageenan in normal saline in right hind paw of rats. Adjuvant arthritis was induced by subcutaneous injection of complete Freund’s adjuvant into the subplantar tissue of the right hind paw of each rats. Control groups were treated with normal saline, Test groups with Ethanolic root extract of WS (12mg/kg & 25 mg/kg p.o.), Standard group with hydrocortisone. Mean paw edema increase in mm (Mean+SE) and % inhibition of paw swelling was evaluated and analyzed statistically.Result: Maximum percentage inhibition of edema exhibited with 12 mg/kg & 25 mg/kg of ethanolic extract of Withania Somnifera at 3 hrs were 36.36 % and 61.36 % respectively as compare to standard drug Hydrocortisone (40 mg/kg s.c.) 65.91%. In Freund,s adjuvant Arthritis model, on 3rd day Hydrocortisone percentage inhibition of paw edema is 31.58% as compare to Withania somnifera i.e. 21.83%.Conclusion: Ethanolic extract of Withania somnifera elicited significant dose dependant acute and chronic anti-inflammatory activity in carrageenan comparable to hydrocortisone.