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.

Suppressive Effect Of Withania Somnifera Root Extract on the Induction of Anti-Ovalbumin IgE Antibody Response in Mice

Abstract: Withania somnifera Dunal (Solanaceae) (WS), a well known Indian herbal drug, was examined for its effect on downregulation of antigen-specific IgE antibody response in mice. The extract prepared from the dried roots of WS (WSE) was administered intraperitoneally along with ovalbumin (OVA), a classical allergen, in the presence of aluminum hydroxide as an adjuvant. It exerted a significant suppression of OVA-specific IgE antibody production in BALB/c mice (H-2 d) as determined by passive cutaneous anaphylaxis (PCA). The extract also inhibited the production of OVA-specific IgE antibody, when administered 24 h prior to, and 6 h after, immunization. Further, WSE not only down-regulated OVA-specific IgE antibody response in other haplotypes of mice such as C57Bl/6 (H-2 b) and SWR/J (H-2 q), but it also suppressed the antigen-specific IgE antibody response against other allergens tested in BALB/c mice. Thus, the basic concept for its appli cation in the alleviation of different IgE mediated immunopathological ...

A Simple Method To Purify Withanolide A From The Roots Of Withania Somnifera Dunal

Abstract: Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha, is a valued herb in Ayurvedic medicine. Roots, leaves and preparations of the plant are traditionally used as tonic, hypnotic, sedative and diuretic. W.somnifera mainly contains withanolides which are specific to the Solanaceae family. Withanolides are biologically active secondary metabolites present in roots and leaves of W.somnifera. In the present study, we have standardized the protocol for the extraction and purification of Withanolide A from the dried in vivo root of W.somnifera. Withanolide A is having a high medicinal value and possesses potent anti-tumor and antioxidant properties. This study involves a detailed investigation about the accumulation of secondary metabolite content in the in vivo root both quantitatively and qualitatively extracts the pure compound using the simple techniques viz., Thin Layer Chromatography, Column Chromatography and High Pressure Liquid Chromatography.

Micro propagation and tissue culture of the endangered medicinal plant withania somnifera by the direct shoot and root initiation method

Abstract: Leaf and Cotyledon explants of Withania somnifera (L). Dunal were used to evaluate the effect of different growth regulators on the in vitro direct shoot and root initiation methods. Four different explants were used to establish callus shoot and root direct regeneration. In the first experiment leaf segments were cultured on MS basal supplemented with 2,4 - Dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4 - D, 0.1-20.0 mg/L), with combination of Naphthalene acetic acid (NAA 0.1-20 mg/L) and Benzylaminopurin (0.1-20 mg/L). This new protocol was standardized for easy mass propagation of W. somnifera medicinal plant. Callus initiation was observed best in MS media with (2,4- D 1.0-5.0 mg/L) after 16-20 days (93%). Highest maximum number of multiple shoots was obtained on MS medium (BAP 3.0 - 5.0 mg/L). The shoots were seaperated from the multiple-shoots, transferred to MS medium supplemented with 1.5 - 20 mg/L NAA favored roots formation occurred in most of the shoot let 88% were successfully achieved in the MS media. The rooted plantlets were transferred to polythene bags which was containing vermi compost, sand and red soil in the ratio of 1:2:2 and kept in a mist house. After acclimatization in the mist house for 2-months, it transferred to greenhouse. The plantlets were successfully planted in the field.

In vitro and in situ screening systems for morphological and phytochemical analysis of Withania somnifera germplasms

Abstract: We report, for the first time for Withania somnifera, the use of a modified in vitro system for morphological and phytochemical screening of true to type plants as compared with those grown in a conventional in situ system. Eleven germplasms of cultivated W. somnifera from different regions of India were collected to examine chemotypic variation in withaferin A (WA). Methods were developed to optimize WA extraction. The maximum concentration of WA was extracted from manually ground leaf and root material to which 60 % methanol was added followed by sonication in a water bath sonicator. Variation in WA concentration in whole plants was observed amongst the different germplasms. In the in vitro system, the concentration of WA ranged between 0.27 and 7.64 mg/g dry weight (DW) and in the in situ system, the range in concentration was between 8.06 and 36.31 mg/g DW. The highest amount of WA found in leaves was 7.37 and 41.42 mg/g DW in the in vitro and the in situ systems respectively. In roots, the highest WA concentration was 0.27 mg/g DW in the in vitro and 0.60 mg/g DW in the in situ system. There are distinct advantages in using the in vitro grown plants rather than those grown in the in situ system including the simplicity of design, efficient use of space and nutrition and a system which is soil and contaminant free. The proposed in vitro system is therefore ideal for utilization in molecular, enzymatic and biochemical studies.