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.

On the occurrence of an additional diploid taxon — Withania obtusifolia TÄCKH. (Solanaceae) — from the natural population of South India

Abstract: The genus Withania (Solanaceae) — which is widely known as “Aswagantha” in Ayurvedha — is useful in the diagnosis of tuberculosis to arthritis. It is known as “Indian ginseng”. It has a world-wide distribution with ten species. Earlier taxonomists recorded a single species (tetraploid) Withania somnifera DUNAL from the natural populations of South India. Extensive field survey and critical perusal of literature revealed the presence of an additional diploid taxon of Withania (Withania obtusifolia TACKH.) from the natural populations. The present paper is aimed to describe the morphological and cytogenetic variations exhibited by the two taxa of Withania with the aid of biosystematic studies. Die Gattung Withania (Solanaceae) — weit bekannt als „Aswagantha” im Ayurvedha — ist zur Diagnose von Tuberkulose und Arthritis gut zu gebrauchen. Sie wird auch „Indischer Ginseng” genannt. Weltweit ist sie mit zehn Arten vertreten. Fruher wurde nur eine (tetraploide) Art, Withania somnifera DUNAL. aus den naturlichen Populationen Sudindiens genannt. Extensive Felduntersuchungen und eine kritische Auswertung der Literatur fuhrten zu dem Ergebnis, das als ein weiteres — diploides — Taxon Withania obtusifolia TACKH. in naturlichen Vorkommen nachgewiesen werden konnte. In vorliegender Arbeit werden mittels biosystematischer Studien morphologische und zytogenetische Variationen der beiden Taxa von Withania beschrieben.

Growth and yield performance of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) under agroforestry

Abstract: Investigations on effect of tree-crop combinations and nitrogen levels on growth, yield and withanolides content and yield of Withania somnifera L. Dunal were carried out during 2005-2006 and 2006-2007, in mid hills of Himachal Pradesh (India). W. somnifera was grown in association with Prunus persica (fruit), Grewia optiva, Morus alba (fodder) and Setaria sphacelata (grass). The distinctive tree-crop combinations (agroforestry systems) formed were Peach + Grewia + Setaria + W. somnifera, Peach + Morus + Setaria + W. somnifera, Peach + Setaria + W. somnifera, Grewia + Setaria + W. somnifera, Morus + Setaria + W. somnifera and W. somnifera as sole crop. Three nitrogen doses, viz. 40, 80 and 120 kg/ha were applied to W. somnifera. The plant height and leaf area of ashwagandha plants was not affected by tree-crop combinations. The nitrogen dose of 120 kg/ha resulted in maximum height (44.55 cm) and leaf area (17.76 cm2/leaf). Leaf area index was maximum (0.97) for plants grown in association with Peach+Grewia+Setaria. Belowground, aboveground and total biomass yield was not affected significantly by various tree-crop combinations. It ranged from 3.23 to 3.91, 2.30 to 2.63 and 5.53 to 6.46 q/ha, respectively. The N dose 120 kg/ha gave significantly higher below, aboveground and total biomass yield to the tune of 5.23, 3.37 and 8.60 q/ha, respectively. Withanolide content in roots varied from 0.73 to o.79 per cent but was not affected due to different treecrop combinations and nitrogen doses.

Therapeutic use of Withania somnifera

Abstract: Withania somnifera (L) Dunal is commonly called as Ashwagandha/Asgand and it belongs to the family Solanaceae. It is a well known medicinal plant widely used in the treatment of many clinical conditions in Indian subcontinent. It is an important medicinal plant commonly known as Asgand which has been used either single or in combination with other drugs in Unani as well as Ayurvedic system of medicine for centuries. It has been described by Dioscorides (78 AD) in his book “Kitab-ul-Hashaish”. Asgand consists of the roots of Withania somnifera which has various therapeutic actions such as anti - inflammatory (Muhallil-e-Warm), sedative (Musakkin), aphrodisiac (Muqawwi-e-Bah), hepatoprotective, immune-modulator activity, anti-oxidant, anti-ageing, anti-tumour activity, adaptogenic activity and has anti-anticonvulsant activity. Keeping in view the medicinal properties of Withania somnifera Dunal (Asgand), an attempt has been made in this paper to explore various dimensions of the drug including phytochemical and pharmacological studies carried out on this herb. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2016, 2(2): 148-155

Discovery of eukaryotic cellular receptor for withaferin A, a multifaceted drug from Withania somnifera plant

Abstract: Withaferin A is a dietary natural compound from a very popular Ayurvedic plant called Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera). Since the discovery of Withaferin A and its initial isolation and characterization in 1965, a plethora of elegant molecular and biochemical studies have shown the potent beneficial effects of this compound on various diseases including cancer and have strongly established Withaferin A as a potent multifaceted pharmaceutical drug. Recently, we have shown the anti-tumor effect of Withaferin A on the various hallmarks of Hepatocellular Carcinoma (HCC) via targeting nuclear receptor and transcription factor Liver X receptor-α (LXR-α). These studies have also shown the novel function of LXR-α and have established LXR-α as a specific cellular receptor for Withaferin A. In this mini-review, we discussed comprehensively some of the important supporting experimental evidences that led to the discovery of this new cellular nuclear receptor for Withaferin A. Here, we also discussed how Withaferin A acts on LXR-α and negatively regulates NF-κB transcription factor and ameliorates HCC proliferation, migration and invasion.

Promising prospective effects of Withania somnifera on broiler performance and carcass characteristics: A comprehensive review

Abstract: Poultry production contributes markedly to bridging the global food gap. Many nations have limited the use of antibiotics as growth promoters due to increasing bacterial antibiotic tolerance/resistance, as well as the presence of antibiotic residues in edible tissues of the birds. Consequently, the world is turning to use natural alternatives to improve birds' productivity and immunity. Withania somnifera, commonly known as ashwagandha or winter cherry, is abundant in many countries of the world and is considered a potent medicinal herb because of its distinct chemical, medicinal, biological, and physiological properties. This plant exhibits antioxidant, cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-aging, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, antistress, antitumor, hepatoprotective, and growth-promoting activities. In poultry, dietary inclusion of W. somnifera revealed promising results in improving feed intake, body weight gain, feed efficiency, and feed conversion ratio, as well as reducing mortality, increasing livability, increasing disease resistance, reducing stress impacts, and maintaining health of the birds. This review sheds light on the distribution, chemical structure, and biological effects of W. somnifera and its impacts on poultry productivity, livability, carcass characteristics, meat quality, blood parameters, immune response, and economic efficiency.