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.

Evaluation of in-vitro Cultured Cells of Withania somnifera for Antioxidant Activity

Abstract: Withania somnifera (Solanaceae), commonly known as ashwagandha, is known to have antiinflammatory, antitumor, anticonvulsive and immunosuppressive properties. In the present study, antioxidant potential of in vitro cultured cells and roots of W. somnifera was evaluated within the concentration range of 5–100 μg/ml using in vitro studies viz. free radical scavenging capacity on 1, 1-diphenyl,- 2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical, 2, 2-azinobis-(3ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonate) (ABTS) radical cation decolourization assay, scavenging of nitric oxide radical and total antioxidant capacity. Ascorbic acid was used as standard compound. Among antioxidant screening models tested, ethanolic extracts of W. somnifera cells fromtransformed callus cultures had shown better antioxidant potential in comparison to that of roots and ascorbic acid. Therefore the results justify the therapeutic application of W. somnifera as an antioxidant in the indigenous system of medicine.

Pragmatic Toxicity Profiling of a Salubrious Polyherbal Combination of Tinospora Cordifolia, Withania Somnifera, and Boerrhavia Diffusa in Swiss Albino Mice

Abstract: Acute and subacute toxicity screening of novel entrants in the stream of polyherbal formulations opens new doors towards the scientific approach of establishing them in the clinical market. Toxicity profiling asserts the humongous pharmacological potential that the natural herbs hold and establishes their safety profile. To exemplify this statement, this study further deals with acute and subacute toxicity studies of an olive oil-based polyherbal combination (PHC). This combination has been developed with the view that it proves to be clinically effective in diabetic cardiomyopathy and neuropathy. However, until now, the acute and subacute toxicity studies have been done on the developed PHC, and experimentally effective dose combinations have been identified. The follow-up part of this research includes the screening of the PHC against specific in vivo screening models in its initial stages. This research paper strictly summarises the acute and subacute profile of the salubrious polyherbal combination. Three herbs with strong literature background were selected: Tinospora cordifolia, Withania somnifera and Boerrhavia diffusa; and their crude extracts were prepared. The reported ED50 values of each of these plants were selected and mixed in 5 different combinations and subjected to Acute Toxicity studies. It was followed by the 28-days subacute toxicity screening of 9 different combinations that were elucidated from the acute toxicity study results. The findings were supported with recovery group studies to conform to any late toxicity symptoms of the polyherbal combination. The findings of this study helped in reaching some pathbreaking conclusions on the polyherbal combination designed.

Genetic and phytochemical difference between some Indian and Italian plants of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Abstract: The geographical distribution of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is quite wide. However, in Italy, this species is very rare and grows spontaneously only in Sicily and in Sardinia. The PCR–RAPD technique has been utilized in this work to determine the genetic relationship among Sicilian, Sardinian and Indian samples and the HPLC analysis of whitaferin A was used as a marker to evaluate the phytochemical differences. The genetic difference between Indian and Sicilian plants of W. somnifera turned out to be smaller than that between Indian and Sardinian plants of this species. The phytochemical analysis as well showed that the Sardinian specimen strongly differed from the Indian and Sicilian ones in its contents of withaferin A. Our results seem to confirm the hypothesis that the Italian populations of this species may not be indigenous but naturalised. Due to the high withaferin A content of the Sardinian samples, these plants could be used as a source for pharmaceutical purposes.

Growth enhancement of medicinal plant Withania somnifera using phosphate solubilizing endophytic bacteria Pseudomonas sp. as bioinoculant

Abstract: Withania somnifera, commonly known as ashwagandha, is a wildly growing highly valuable medicinal plant, found throughout India. Ashwagandha has high medicinal value due to its antioxidant, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immuno-modulatory, anti-ageing and rejuvenating properties. Since use of synthetic agrochemicals in the cultivation of medicinal plants is highly restricted due to their harmful effects on human health and environment, present study was aimed to explore the role of endophytic bacteria in enhancing the nutrient level in soil and growth of ashwagandha. In this study, growth promoting potential of endophytic bacterial strain PSE-1 was explored which was isolated from the roots of W. somnifera and identified as Pseudomonas sp. on the basis of 16s rRNA gene sequencing. Results obtained from the study suggest that endophytic bacteria Pseudomonas sp. plays important role in improving the nutrient level in soil and displayed beneficial effects on plant growth.