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.

Preparation of Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera (L.) Dunal) ghee – A practical approach inspired by traditional knowledge

Abstract: The use of ghee in suitable conditions with appropriate doses of desired preparations will render various benefits due to its potency to nullify toxins and toxic effects of drugs; and its capability to act as a media to dissolve and enhance the efficacy of the active principles in the drugs used. The Ayurvedic classics have mentioned Rasayana which is described as an herbal or metallic preparation that are health tonics to children, medicines to middle aged and rejuvenators to the elderly. Ashwagandha is used as Rasayana since the ancient time especially for children in the management of malnourishment. This paper details the practical approach in preparing Ashwagandha ghrita by incorporating the traditional knowledge along with the modern technology in drug manufacture.

Isolation, Identification of Some Chemical Constituents and Antimicrobial Activity of Different Extracts from Withania somnifera Growing at Albaha Region, KSA

Abstract: The purpose of this study is to investigate some chemical constituents and biological activities of different extracts of Withania somnifera (WS) growing in Albaha region KSA. The volatile oils of both leaves and stems were extracted by hydrodistillation method and analyzed using Gas Chromatography/ Mass spectrometry (GC/MS) technique. The pet ether extracts of different parts (leaves, stems and seeds) of the plant were fractionated into acetone insoluble fraction, unsaponifiable matter and fatty acids which were identified using (GC/MS) analysis. All defatted plant powder of each organ were extracted with methanol (80 %) which subsequently fractionated using (chloroform, ethyl acetate and n-butanol) respectively. Flavonoidal content of all extracts was determined using the standard Aluminum chloride spectrophotometric method while phenolic content was determined by using Folin-Ciocalteau spectrophotometric method. The results of the antimicrobial activity of different showed that, the extracts of leaves and stems only showed activity against gram positive bacteria while, all gram negative bacteria are resistant to all extracts except ethyl acetate extract of leaves.

Effect of Dietary Supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Carcass Quality of Broiler Chicken

Abstract: The experiment was conducted to investigate the effect of supplementation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root powder on performance and carcass quality of broilers during 0–6 weeks of age. One hundred eighty, day old, commercial broiler chicks (Ven Cob Strain) were divided into three treatment groups, i.e. T0, T1 and T2, each group with 20 chicks per replicate reared on deep litter system, water and feed were provided ad-libitum throughout the experimental period. Basal diet was fed to the birds in control group (T0) where as diets of treatment groups T1 and T 2 were fortified with 0.25 and 0.5 percent Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), respectively. The body weight gain of T1 and T 2 birds during finisher phase were significantly (P<0.05) higher as compared to birds of T0, however, these value did not differ significantly among treatment groups T1 and T 3. Feed conversion ratio (FCR) also improved significantly (P<0.05) by supplementation of either level of Ashwagandha. The drumstick weight increased significantly (P<0.05) with supplementation of Ashwagandha, however, did not show any significant effect over dressing percent, giblet weight and cooking yield percent. Sensory scores viz appearance, flavor, juiciness, texture and overall acceptability were not affected significantly with supplementation of 0.25 or 0.5% Ashwagandha. Thus, it may be concluded that average weekly body weight gain, feed conversion ratio, drumstick weight and pH of fresh meat was improved on feeding Ashwagandha root powder as herbal feed supplement.

Isolation and Crystal Structure of 6α,7α-Epoxy-5α,17α,27-trihydroxy-1-oxo-22R-witha-2,24-dienolide monohydrate-A Withasteroid from Withania somnifera Leaves

Abstract: (5R,6S,7S,8S,9S,10R,13S,14S,17S,20R,22R)-6α,7α-epoxy-5α,17α,27-trihydroxy-1-oxo-22R-witha-2,24-dienolide has been isolated from Withania somnifera leaves. Three-dimensional X-ray intensity data were collected at 293 K on Bruker CCD area-detector diffractometer equipped with graphite-monochromated MoKα radiation (λ = 0.71073 A). The compound crystallizes in monoclinic space group P21 with unit cell parameters: a = 6.4540(2), b = 11.3656(4), c = 17.4982(5) A, β = 90.730 o(2), Z = 2. The crystal structure was refined to a final R-value of 0.0419 for 6122 observed reflections. One water solvent molecule was observed. All the rings of the steroid skeleton are trans connected. Rings A and B exists in a half-chair conformation, ring C a chair, and five membered ring D is intermediate between half-chair and envelope. The δ-lactone ring E adopts a distorted sofa conformation. The characteristic pattern observed in the packing diagram is the appearance of twisted chains of molecules. The packing of the molecules in the crystal is stabilized by intra- and intermolecular O–H···O and C–H···O interactions. The isolation and crystal structure analysis of a withasteroid isolated from Withania somnifera leaves