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.

Antibacterial activity of flavonoids of Withania somnifera L.

Abstract: Context: Flavonoids from different parts (leaf, stem, root and fruits) of Withania somnifera have been screened for antibacterial activity against Enterobacter aerogens, Bacillus subtilis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Raoultella planticola and Agrobacterium tumefaciens. Materials and Methods: Disc diffusion assay (DDA) was performed for antimicrobial screening. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC), minimum bactericidal (MBC) and total activity (TA) of extracts found sensitive against test pathogens have also been evaluated. Results and Conclusions: Most susceptible microorganisms in the present study were R. planticola and A. tumefaciens, which had shown susceptibility for almost all the extracts tested. Thereafter sensitive was shown by K. pneumoniae, B. subtilis, E. aerogens. However, highest inhibition zone was observed for E. aerogens (IZ 25.5 mm; AI 1.159 ± 0.023) followed by R. planticola (IZ 22 mm; AI 0.733 ± 0.133). Antimicrobial activity of flavonoids extracts of W. somnifera were carried out to validate the use of traditional medicinal herb and the results of this study tend to give credence to the common use of W. sominfera plant. The study provide platform for further studies in plant, so as to pinpoint specific alkaloids and/or flavonoids responsible for antimicrobial activity and might open new vistas in the therapeutic use of the plant in allopathy medicine too. Key words: Antibacterial activity, flavonoids, minimum bactericidal, minimum inhibitory concentration, W. somnifera

A comparative bioefficacy of seed and root extracts of a medicinal plant, Withania somnifera when administered to prepupae of lepidopteran insects, Spodoptera litura (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) and Pericallia ricini (Lepidoptera: Arctiidae)

Abstract: The lepidopterans, Spodoptera litura and Pericallia ricini, are polyphagous pests of agricultural importance. The unscrupulous and non-judicious use of chemical pesticides for controlling the insect pests has resulted into severe environmental hazards, threatening non-target organisms and human health. Administration of seed and root extracts of a medicinal plant, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) to prepupae of two economically important insect pests viz. S. litura and P. ricini resulted into disruption of molting and metamorphosis leading to a number of developmental aberrations such as prolongation of the life span of prepupae, postponement of pupal-adult ecdysis, ecdysial failure, reduced pupation and adult emergence, formation of larval-pupal and pupal-adult intermediates, abnormal pupae, and adultoids. Treatment with seed extracts of W. somnifera was more effective as it alone caused mortality in both the lepidopteran insects viz. S. litura and P. ricini, whereas no such effect was observed when treated with root extracts. P. ricini was more susceptible to W. somnifera as it resulted into formation of larval-pupal-adult chimeras in addition to effects described earlier, whereas this effect was not observed in the case of S. litura. These results are similar to these produced by the administration of JHAs and hence mimic their action by the way of interfering with the neuroendocrine system.

Pharmacological evaluation of ayurvedic plants for aphrodisiac activity in experimental animals.

Abstract: Vajikaran Chikitsa is the branch of Ashtanga Ayurveda, which deals with all types of physical and psychological sexual problems like impotence, libido, poor erection, and early ejaculation in males. The WHO estimated that the usage of traditional medicine in developing countries is 80% and suggested a need for further exploration of the natural aphrodisiacs for the mechanism of action. Considering the prevalence of the sexual dysfunctioning in the society, side effects with the conventional aphrodisiac drugs, the study was planned to evaluate some Ayurvedic plants like Abutilon indicum and Withania somnifera for the aphrodisiac potential. An attempt was also made to elucidate the possible mechanism of action of these plants for their use in Vagikarana chikitsa. From the present study, it could be concluded that A. indicum and W. somnifera both possessed marked aphrodisiac activity complying many facets such as enhancement in libido, increase in the sexual performance, penile erection and anabolism, increased spermatogenesis as well as sperm validity. Study results pointed out the place of these drugs in the Vajikarana Chikitsa. A. indicum would be useful in management of erectile dysfunction as it had shown to relax penile cavernosal tissue probably by phosphodiesterase inhibition and cGMP accumulation.

Novel formulations to inhibit cyclooxygenase and pro-inflammatory cytokine mediated diseases

Abstract: The invention provides method and composition for alleviating one or more symptoms associated with a medical condition mediated by one or more of a cyclooxygenase, a pro- inflammatory cytokine, and a pro-inflammatory enzyme. The method includes administering an effective amount of a composition to a person suffering from the medical condition. The composition essentially includes a set of plant extracts. The set of plant extracts include an extract of Withania somnifera, an extract of Boswellia serrata, an extract of Curcuma longa, and an extract of Zingiber officinale. Wherein, one or more extracts of the set of plant extracts includes one or more desired active ingredient in an amount greater than an amount of other active ingredients present in the one or more extracts. The composition can also be used as combination therapy with any other known anti-inflammatory agents.

Critical dose of nitrogen and phosphorus enhanced growth, yield and alkaloid content in withania somnifera l.

Abstract: The optimum dose of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) for Withania somnifera was determined by utilizing graded levels of 0, 30, 45 and 60 kg ha−1 N and 0, 13, 26 and 40 kg ha−1 P in two separate simple randomized pot experiments. Soil-application of 45 kg N ha−1 and 26 kg P ha−1 proved the best dose for increasing shoot and root length, leaf area, fresh and dry weight of shoot and root, total chlorophyll and leaf-N, P, and potassium (K) content, nitrate reductase, and carbonic anhydrase activity, total alkaloid content, seed-yield per plant, root- yield per plant and berries per plant. While 30 kg N ha−1 proved best for root length, fresh and dry weights, as well as root-yield per plant. However, the effect of N and P fertilizers on carotenoid content, seeds per berry and 100-seed weight were insipid. Leaf- P remained unaffected by nitrogen application.