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.

Phytochemical Extraction and Characterization of Roots of Withania Somnifera for Its Anti-Bacterial, Anti-Oxidant, Anti-Inflammation and Analgesic Activity

Abstract: Medicinal plants are a source of naturally active compounds used extensively by tribal people worldwide for many ailments. Withania somnifera(WS) is one such plant used to treat many ailments from the time of Ayurveda. The dried roots of Withania somnifera are widely used in the treatment of many disorders, the current investigation aimed at extraction and detection or screening of active phytochemical compounds from different extracts of Withania somnifera root. From chemistry point of view, the drug contains group of biologically active constituents known as withanolides. The chemical structures of withanolides have been studied and they are widely distributed in family Solanacae. Phytochemical screening of different extractions revealed the presence of phenols, flavonoids, tannins, saponins, alkaloids, steroids, terpenoids, and glycosides which could account for its varied medicinal properties like anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidant, anti-analgesic. The root samples of Withania somniferaare used to examine the anti-bacterial activity against some pathogenic bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. The anti-bacterial activity of the powder extract was done with Chloroform, methanol and petroleum ether. Petroleum ether extract showed minimum anti-bacterial activity followed by aqueous, chloroform and methanolic extract. In the present study, the free radical scavenging potential of three extracts of the root of Withania somnifera was assessed by measuring its capability for scavenging 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH). Our study demonstrated that the three different extracts of Withania somnifera root showed different level of antioxidant activity and is a potential source of antioxidants and thus could prevent many radical related diseases. In the present study, withaferin A (active component of Withania somnifera), a steroid lactone was examined for its analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties employing different experimental models in mice. The study was done to evaluate the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of the aqueous, methanolic, choloroform and petroleum ether extract of the roots of Withania somnifera . The analgesic activity was studied using Eddy’s Hot Plate method in swiss albino mice and for anti-inflammatory investigation Carrageenan-Induced Paw Edema method was applied.

Hydroalcoholic extract of Withania somnifera leaf and α-tocopherol acetate in diets containing oxidised oil: effects on growth performance, immune response, and oxidative status in broiler chickens

Abstract: This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of hydroalcoholic leaf extract of Withania somnifera (WS) and α-tocopherol acetate (α-Toc) in the diets containing oxidised oil on the growth perfor...

Isolation, Identification and Antimicrobial Activity of a Withanolide [WS-1] from the Roots of Withania somnifera

Abstract: Column chromatographic purification of the organic extract obtained from the roots of Withania somnifera yielded a biologically active withanolide compound WS-1 whose structure was established on the basis of spectroscopic evidences. Potent antibacterial activity was observed in this compound. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njst.v12i0.6497 Nepal Journal of Science and Technology 12 (2011) 179-186

Effect of supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on haemato-biochemical parameters of Salmonella Gallinarum infected broiler chickens.

Abstract: An experiment was conducted to study the effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder on hemato-biochemical parameters of Salmonella Gallinarum infected broiler chicks. One hundred and sixty, day-old broiler chicks were divided into four groups (group A, B, C and D) with 40 chickes in each group. Groups A and B were given basal diet whereas dried Ashwagandha root powder @ 0.5% was given in feed in groups C and D. After 7 days, chicks in groups B and D were infected with 107 CFU/ml of S. Gallinarum via the subcutaneous route. Overall mortality recorded was considerably reduced in Ashwagandha supplemented group D (8) as compared to group B chicks (15). There was a significant decrease in body weight in both the infected groups (B and D) as compared to uninfected groups (A and C) from 14 DPI onwards till the end of the experiment. A significant (p<0.05) decrease in haematological parameters in the infected groups compared to non-infected groups were suggestive of microcytic hypochromic anaemia. The intensity of anaemia was lesser in group D as compared to group B. Leucocytois with absolute heterophilia and absolute lymphocytosis was observed in Ashwagandha fed groups. There was a decrease in total serum protein and alkaline phosphatase activity along with hypoalbuminemia in the Salmonella infected groups; the values of these parameters were higher in group D as compared to group B. Alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase and lactate dehydrogenase activities were significantly higher in Salmonella infected groups, which were lower and attained early recovery in Ashwagandha fed group. It was concluded that supplementation of Ashwagandha root powder @ 0.5% in feed may reduce the severity of Salmonella Gallinarum infection in broiler chicken.

Withania somnifera and Eclipta albaAmeliorate Oxidative Stress InducedMitochondrial Dysfunction in an AnimalModel of Alzheimer’s Disease

Abstract: Objective: To investigate the protective effects of the methanolic extract of Withania somnifera roots and Eclipta alba whole plant inameliorating oxidative damage and mitochondrial dysfunction in the rat brain. Methods: The methanolic extracts of W. somnifera and E. alba were analyzed for their total phenolics and flavonoid content. In vitro antioxidant activity was evaluated by employing DPPH and ABTS radical scavenging assays. Anti-amnesic activity of methanolic extracts of W. somnifera and E. alba (50, 100 and 200 mg/kg, p. o.) after 8 days dosing was studied in comparison with the standard drug Donepezil hydrochloride and Piracetam treatment. On 8th day, 90 minutes after the administration of last dose, elevated plus maze was carried out and subsequently animals were sacrificed and brain homogenate was prepared to estimate lipid peroxidation and MTT reduction as current markers of antioxidant status and cell viability, respectively. Results: The methanolic extracts showed high phenolic and flavonoid content and also showed comparable antioxidant activity with standard reference. Results of elevated plus maze demonstrated protection from memory deficit. MEW Sand MEEA at doses 100 and 200 mg/kg showed significant decrease in the transfer latency as compared to the toxicant and control group. MEWS and MEEA at 200mg/kg produced a reduction MDA content of 51.49±0.15 nmol/g tissue and 50.23±0.50 nmol/g tissue, respectively comparable to 47.96±0.06 nmol/g tissue of Donepezil hydrochloride 3 mg/kg. 200mg/kg dose of MEWS and MEEA were effective in increasing the reduction of MTT 72.01% and 71.59%, respectively comparable to 66.33% of Piracetam 200mg/kg. Conclusion: Withania somnifera and Eclipta alba could be potential candidates demonstrating neuroprotective activity in oxidative stress induced mitochondrial dysfunction.