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.

In vitro estimation of total phenolics and DPPH radical scavenging activity of Withania somnifera extract

Abstract: Withania somnifera commonly known as Ashwagandha, is an important plant in Indian traditional ayurvedic medicine and is believed to increase longevity and vitality. W. somnifera contains a variety of phytochemicals i. e flavonoids and plant polyphenols. Withania somnifera extract was analysed for its reducing ability as an antioxidant using the 1, 1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) assay and for total phenolics using the Folin-Ciocalteu method. The analysed DPPH radical scavenging activity of W. somnifera was 77.3% and total phenolic content of W. somnifera extract was 308 mg gallic acid equivalents/g extract (standard curve equation: y=0.0058x + 0.0966, R2=0.9906). The results revealed that Withania somnifera extract was a better source of antioxidants.

Withanolides of withania somnifera l. dunal growing wild in egypt

Abstract: Three Withanolides (Substances A,B, and C) were isolated from the alcoholic extract of the Egyptian Withania somnifera wild plants. Substance A and substance C were identified by IR, NMR and Mass spectral data. Substance A appears to be a configurational isomer of Withanolide E and substance C is 4-hydroxy derivative of substance A. Substance A is identified as 14,17,20-trihydroxy-5B,6B-epoxy-1-oxo-Witha-2,24-dienolide (I) and substance C as 4,14,17,20-tetrahydroxy-5B, 6B-epoxy-1-oxo-witha-2,24-dienolide(II). This is the first report of isolation and characterization of substance C from Withania somnifera or the genus Withania. Substance B would be the subject of a further report.

Ashwagandha reverses the dieldrin-induced cognitive impairment by modulation of oxidative stress in rat brain

Abstract: Dieldrin (DLD) is an organochlorine pesticide heavily used in agriculture to control pests. Widespread exposures of DLD to human population are likely to contribute in neurological disorders. Withania somnifera (WSF), commonly known as “ashwagandha,” is used for its broad spectrum of pharmacological activity. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of WSF (100 mg/kg) on DLD (5 mg/kg)-induced modulation of cognitive function and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats. Cognitive function was measured using step-down latency (SDL) on a continuous avoidance apparatus and transfer latency (TL) on an elevated plus maze. Oxidative stress was estimated by measuring brain malondialdehyde (MDA) level, protein carbonyl (PC), and reduced glutathione (GSH) activity. Significant reduction in both acquisition and retention in SDL was found for the DLD-treated group at the end of the exposure study as compared to the control (P Abbreviations Used: DLD: Dieldrin; GSH: Reduced glutathione; LD: Lethal dose; LPO: Lipid peroxidation; MDA: Malondialdehyde; OCP: Organochlorine pesticide; PC: Protein carbonyl; SDL: Step-down latency; SFZ: Shock-free zone; TL: Transfer latency; WSF: Withania Somnifera.