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.

Effects of light intensity and imbibition frequency of in vivo and in vitro propagated seeds of Withania somnifera (L.) Poshita on germination

Abstract: Pharmacological significance of Withania somnifera (L.) is due to the presence of secondary metabolites like withanolides (steroidal lactones) and alkaloids (Mirjalili et al., 2009). The withanolides are steroidal compounds and bear resemblance, both in action and appearance to the active ginsenosides of Asian ginseng. Studies show that the plant has been used as an antioxidant, adaptogen, aphrodisiac, liver tonic, antiinflammatory agent, antitumour, astringent and more recently, to treat ulcers, bacterial infection, venom toxins and senile dementia. The medicinal herb has always supported clinical trials and animal research support the use for anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders, inflammation, hyperlipidemia and Parkinson s disease (Gupta and Rana, 2007). Its increasing therapeutic benefits continuously attract the attention of pharmacologists for biomedical investigations on plant extracts and its isolated phytochemicals (Mulabagal et al., 2009).

Effect of Mechanical, Chemical, Growth Hormone and Biofertilizer Treatments on Seed Quality Enhancement in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal)

Abstract: The investigation on effect of mechanical, chemical, growth hormone and biofertilizer treatments on seed quality enhancement in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal) was conducted at Department of Seed Science and Technology Laboratory, B. A. College of Agriculture, AAU, Anand during 2017-18. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Design (Factorial) with two varieties, viz., JA 134 and GAA 1. Seeds of both the varieties were treated with different scarification, growth hormones and biofertilizer treatments and their combined effect on germination and other seed quality attributes was studied. The effect of pre-sowing seed treatment with growth hormone GA3 (200 ppm), bio-fertilizer treatment Phosphorous Solubilizing Bacteria and varieties showed significant effect on germination per cent, seedling length and seedling vigour indices of aswagandha. The maximum germination per cent was attained by the GAA 1 compared to JA 134.

Effect of Ashwagandharista (Withania somnifera) on the kidney functions of male and female rats

Abstract: The key objective of this present study was to analyze the effect(s) of Ashwagandharishta on the kidney functions of both male and female Albino rats. Chronic toxicity tests were also done. Following treatments the rats were observed for 51 days to know the effects of Ashwagandharishta on kidney functions considering 3 parameters such as serum urea, creatinine and uric acid. Our results failed to exhibit a significant increase in serum urea level at low dose (P<0.01), medium dose (P<0.05) and at high dose (P<0.001) in male rat groups; but with female rat groups our results showed significant increase in serum urea level at three dose levels. Regarding serum creatinine level male rats and female rats showed a trend of increase in level at different dose but effects were insignificant except medium dose in male rats (P<0.05). Regarding serum uric acid level our results failed to show a significant increase irrespective of dose. Jahangirnagar University J. Biol. Sci. 8(1): 1-7, 2019 (June)

Exposure Effect of 900 MHz Electromagnetic Field Radiation on Antioxidant Potential of Medicinal Plant Withania Somnifera

Abstract: The last few decades have seen a significant increase in non-ionizing radiation for cellular mobile communications. This increase in the artificial electromagnetic source is to cater to the ever-lasting need for continuous usage of wireless communication Viz. surveillance, medical, mobile, industrial equipment. The base stations count on the planet is rapidly increasing to meet the commercial demands. This radiation affects the plants especially agricultural and medically important crops get affected. The Withania somnifera plants were exposed to 900 MHz electromagnetic waves for the duration of 72 h. Plant extracts were collected for 12, 24, 36,48, 60 and 72 h. The presented paper examines the stress induced by such electromagnetic sources on Withania somnifera plant through measuring the content of phenolic and flavonoid content, DPPH scavenging assay, and total antioxidant activity assay. The findings indicated raise in all selected parameters Viz., 20.19% raise in phenolic compounds, 21.27% increase in flavonoid content, 20% increase in DPPA scavenging activity and 19.99% elevation in total antioxidant activity was obtained with initial exposure up to 24 h which shell be due to activation of plant defense system. The prolonged exposure up to 72 h indicated significant detriment in phenolic compounds by 32.12%, Flavonoids by 14.89%, reduction in DPPH radical scavenging activity, by 56.33%, and total antioxidant activity by 42.01%. Such a reduction in antioxidant activity of selected medicinal plants indicates the deteriorative effects of high-frequency Electromagnetic radiation on plant health.