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.

Antimicrobial activities of three indian medicinal plants

Abstract: The antimicrobial activities of root, leaf and stem extracts of three medicinal plants, Barleria prionitis L. (Acanthaceae), Withania somnifera L. Dunal (Solanaceae) and Helianthus annus L. (Compositae) in water, methanol and dichloromethane were evaluated against a few microorganisms (bacteria - Staphylococcus aureus, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhi and fungi - Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus flavus, Aspergillus awamori, Fusarium oxysporium and Penicillium notatum). Promising antimicrobial potential was observed for the root and leaf extracts of the plants in methanol and dichloromethane. Barleria prionitis root extract in methanol presented highest activity against Bacillus subtilis among all the tested microorganisms. Water extracts, in general showed less antimicrobial activity as compared to other solvents. The antimicrobial activity of the plant extracts was found to be dose dependant and varied with the type and concentration of the extract as well as type of microbial species. The results were compared with the activity of some standard antibiotics.

Extraction Optimization for Phenolic- and Withanolide-Rich Fractions from Withania somnifera Roots: Identification and Quantification of Withaferin A, 12-Deoxywithastromonolide, and Withanolide A in Plant Materials and Marketed Formulations Using a Reversed-Phase HPLC-Photodiode Array Detection Method.

Abstract: Background: Both the roots and leaves of Withania somnifera are products of commerce. They contain active compounds of therapeutic value and mostly different withanolides. Several pharmacological activities of W. somnifera have links to one or more withanolides. The presence of phenolic compounds in extracts could play a vital role in the reduction of blood glucose levels in diabetic subjects. Objective: The present study was carried out for the selection of a solvent to prepare extracts rich in phenolics, withaferin A (WA), 12-deoxywithastromonolide (12WD), and withanolide A (WDA). A simple, rapid HPLC method was also developed for the identification and quantification of WA, 12WD, and WDA. Methods: The extraction efficiency of aqueous alcoholic solvents including hexane, chloroform, ethyl acetate, and methanol were compared for three selected withanolides and total phenolic content. The contents of WA, 12WD, and WDA and total phenolics were determined in the extracts. The quality of nine formulations containing W. sominfera were also compared in terms of the content of WA, 12WD, and WDA and total phenolics. Results: The maximum extract yield and the total withanolide and phenolic content were obtained from aqueous alcoholic compositions at 50:50 (v/v), 70:30 (v/v), and 100:0 (v/v), respectively. In the case of organic solvents, chloroform and ethyl acetate yielded the highest concentrations of phenolics and three withanolides, respectively. The total phenolic content in formulations was in the range of 1.84-3.13%, and total withanolide content showed wide variability. Conclusions: The outcome of the present investigation could be utilized for the selection of extraction solvents to prepare W. somnifera-enriched extracts and their quality monitoring by using the developed and validated HPLC-Photodiode array detection method. Highlights: A process for preparation of phenolics and withanolides (withaferin A, 12-deoxywithastramonolide and withanolide A) enriched extracts of Withania somnifera. Simple and rapid HPLC method was also developed and validated as per the ICH guidelines for identification and quantification of three major withanolides. The developed HPLC method was applied to analyze the quality of extracts and marketed herbal products (mono, as well as poly constituents). Optimized extraction process could be utilized for upscaling process development in preparation of enriched extracts from Withania somnifera, crop improvement, bio-prospection studies and quality control.

Phytochemical diversity in ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)

Abstract: November 24-25, 2010 • Anand farm of IIHR. Significant variations were observed for vegetative, inflorescence, fruit and seed traits among the germplasm. Total of 30 characters were identified as useful traits for descriptors. Minimum descriptors have potential to discriminate between accessions and provide basic indicators of diversity within a collection. The proposed minimum descriptors for velvet bean include 17 traits comprising vegetative, flower, fruit and seed characters. They are growth habit of the plant, days to flowering, length of inflorescence, number of flowers/inflorescence, flower colour, trichomes colour, itchiness of the trichomes, position of inflorescence and pods, number of pods/bunch and number of fruiting bunches/plant. Seed traits are important in grouping the accessions which include 100 seed weight, seed coat colour, seed coat pattern and seed brilliance. These characters in combination with crop duration, seed yield and L-dopa content can serve as minimum descriptors in discerning and classifying the variation present in velvet bean.

Association of water based infusion of Allium sativum and Withania somnifera with serum lipid profile of broiler chicks.

Abstract: A study was conducted to explore the effects of different levels of water based infusion of Allium sativum (A. sativum) and Withania somnifera (W. somnifera) mixture in 1:6 respectively on lipid profile of broiler chicks. One hundred and twenty day-old broiler chicks were distributed into four groups; A, B, C and D each having three replicates (10 chicks replicate -1 ). The chicks were reared in pens in an open sided house for 35 days. Chicks in group B, C and D received water based infusion of A. sativum and W. somnifera at rate of 5, 7.5 and 10 ml/L of drinking water, respectively, while group A served as control. Water based infusion of A. sativum and W. somnifera at the rate of 10 mlL -1 in broiler chicks reduced total cholesterol, triglycerides, low density lipoproteins while increased high density lipoproteins level. It is concluded that water based infusion of A. sativum and W. sominefera in 1:6 at rate of 10 mlL -1 of drinking water improved the lipid profile of broiler chicks.