Topic
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.
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3 citations
TL;DR: It is demonstrated that stigmasterol,withanolide A, withanolide D and β-sitosterol are the major metabolites that are responsible for the neuropharmacological action of WS root against AD-associated pathobiology, and TrkB, GSK-3β, TLR2/4, and BACE-1 could be the potential druggable targets.
Abstract: Background Withania somnifera (WS), also referred to as Medhya Rasayana(nootropic or rejuvenating), has traditionally been prescribed for various neurological ailments, including dementia. Despite substantial evidence, pharmacological roles of WS, neither as nootropic nor as an anti-dementia agent, are well-understood at the cellular and molecular levels. Objectives We aimed at elucidating the pharmacological action mechanisms of WS root constituents against Alzheimer's disease (AD) pathology. Methods Various bioinformatics tools and resources, including DAVID, Cytoscape, NetworkAnalyst and KEGG pathway database were employed to analyze the interaction of WS root bioactive molecules with the protein targets of AD-associated cellular processes. We also used a molecular simulation approach to validate the interaction of compounds with selected protein targets. Results Network analysis revealed that β-sitosterol, withaferin A, stigmasterol, withanolide A, and withanolide Dare the major constituents of WS root that primarily target the cellular pathways such as PI3K/Akt signaling, neurotrophin signaling and toll-like receptor signal-ing and proteins such as tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), glycogen synthase kinase-3β(GSK-3β), toll-like receptor 2/4 (TLR2/4), and β-secretase (BACE-1).Also, the in silico analysis further validated the interaction patterns and binding affinity of the major WS compounds, particularly stigmasterol,withanolide A, withanolide D and β-sitosterol with TrkB, GSK-3β, TLR2/4, and BACE-1. Conclusion The present findings demonstrate that stigmasterol,withanolide A, withanolideDand β-sitosterolare the major metabolites that are responsible for the neuropharmacological action of WS root against AD-associated pathobiology, and TrkB, GSK-3β, TLR2/4, and BACE-1 could be the potential druggable targets.
3 citations
TL;DR: The interaction and conformational changes, subjected to ligand interaction, were found to be similar to the drugs Imatinib and Asciminib, and suggested that Ashwagandha extracts containing withanolides, Wi-A and Wi-N may serve as natural drugs for the treatment of CML.
Abstract: Withaferin-A (Wi-A), a secondary metabolite extracted from Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), has been shown to possess anticancer activity. However, the molecular mechanism of its action and the signaling pathways have not yet been fully explored. We performed an inverse virtual screening to investigate its binding potential to the catalytic site of protein kinases and identified ABL as a strong candidate. Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulations were undertaken to investigate the effects on BCR-ABL oncogenic signaling that is constitutively activated yielding uncontrolled proliferation and inhibition of apoptosis in Chronic Myeloid Leukemia (CML). We found that Wi-A and its closely related withanolide, Withanone (Wi-N), interact at both catalytic and allosteric sites of the ABL. The calculated binding energies were higher in the case of Wi-A at catalytic site (−82.19 ± 5.48) and allosteric site (−67.00 ± 4.96) as compared to the clinically used drugs Imatinib (−78.11 ± 5.21) and Asciminib (−54.00 ± 6.45) respectively. Wi-N had a lesser binding energy (−42.11 ± 10.57) compared to Asciminib at the allosteric site. The interaction and conformational changes, subjected to ligand interaction, were found to be similar to the drugs Imatinib and Asciminib. The data suggested that Ashwagandha extracts containing withanolides, Wi-A and Wi-N may serve as natural drugs for the treatment of CML. Inhibition of ABL is suggested as one of the contributing factors of anti-cancer activity of Wi-A and Wi-N, warranting further in vitro and in vivo experiments.
3 citations
01 Jan 2014
TL;DR: The final outcome of the trial was satisfactory and highly promoted for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, although advance research is needed to examine its efficacy, safety and potential drug.
Abstract: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disorder in which various joints of the body are inflamed, leading to swelling, pain, stiffness and possibly loss of function. The goals of management of patients with RA are to control pain and swelling, delay disease progression, minimize disability, and improve quality of life. The growing interest in traditional medicines for RA, there exists a need for investigate their safety and efficacy on scientific basis. The purpose of this randomized clinical trial (RCT) was to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the traditional herb, Withania somnifera L. Dunal in case of rheumatoid arthritis with sample size of 60 cases (between the age group 20 to 40 years), divided into Group A (test group) and Group B (placebo group) equally. The final outcome of the trial was satisfactory and highly promoted for treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, although advance research is needed to examine its efficacy, safety and potential drug
3 citations
TL;DR: The serum sodium and chloride ion levels were almost similar in all the groups and the differences were not statistically significant and the body weight and kidney weight of the animals were measured to assess the nephrotoxicity in these groups of animals.
Abstract: Background: Regulation of electrolytes and body fluids are essential for maintaining the body homeostasis. Kidney plays an important role for these regulations. Higher doses of drugs, toxins, infectious agents, chemicals etc. can causes kidney damage and ultimately electrolytes disturbances can be occurred. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an herbal plant may have some role on serum electrolytes balance. Objective: To observe the effects of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root on serum electrolytes against gentamicin induced nephrotoxicity in Wistar albino rats. Methods: This experimental study was carried out in the Department of Physiology, Sir Salimullah Medical College SSMC), Dhaka from 1 st July 2010 to 30 th June 2011. A total number of 35 Wistar albino rats, age from 90 to 120 days, weighing between 150 to 200 grams were selected for the study. After acclimatization for 14 days, they were divided into control group and experimental group. Control group was again subdivided into baseline control, (10 rats) and gentamicin treated control group, (10 rats). Again, experimental group (gentamicin treated group after ashwagandha treatment) consisted of 15 rats. All groups of animals received basal diet for 22 consecutive days. In addition to this, gentamicin treated control group also received gentamicin subcutaneously (100mg /kg body weight/day) for the last eight (15th to 22nd day) consecutive days. Again, gentamicin treated group after ashwagandha treatment received ashwagandha root extract (500mg/kg body weight/day, orally) for 22 consecutive days and gentamicin subcutaneously (100mg/kg body weight /day) for last eight (15 th to 22 nd day) days. All the animals were sacrificed on 23 rd day. Then blood samples were collected and kidney weight was measured. For assessment of kidney function, some serum electrolyte levels e,g. serum sodium, potassium and chloride ion levels were estimated by ion selective electrode (ISE) electrolyte auto analyzer method, by using Biolyte 2000 auto analyzer. However, body weight and kidney weight of the animals were measured to assess the nephrotoxicity in these groups of animals. All these tests were done in the laboratory of Department of Physiology and Biochemistry, SSMC. Statistical analysis was done by one way ANOVA and Bonferroni tests as applicable. Results: The serum sodium and chloride ion levels were almost similar in all the groups and the differences were not statistically significant. The mean serum levels of potassium ion were significantly (p<0.001) lower in gentamicin treated group and (p<0.05) in gentamicin treated group after ashwagandha treatment in comparison to that of baseline control group. But this level of gentamicin treated group after ashwagandha treatment was significantly (p<0.01) higher than that of gentamicin treated group. Initial body weight was almost similar and no significant difference of this value was observed among the groups. Whereas, the final body weight was significantly (p<0.001) lower in gentamicin treated control group and in gentamicin treated group after ashwagandha treatment than that of baseline control group. Again this level of gentamicin treated group after ashwagandha treatment was significantly (p<0.05) higher in comparison to that of gentamicin treated control group. The kidney weight was significantly (p<0.01) higher in gentamicin treated control group when compared to that of baseline control and gentamicin treated group after ashwagandha treatment. Whereas, kidney weight of gentamicin treated group after ashwagandha treatment and of baseline control group was almost similar and showed no statistically significant difference of this value between this two groups. Conclusion: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract may have some role in maintaining some of the serum electrolyte levels within normal limit, which indicates its nephroprotective effects against gentamicin induced toxicity. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/jbsp.v7i1.11157 J Bangladesh Soc Physiol. 2012, June; 7(1): 29-35
3 citations