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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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DOI
21 Mar 2015
TL;DR: Variations in the quality and quantity of proteins and antioxidant enzymes were evaluated biochemically and enzymatically from the static and suspension cultures of Withania somnifera L. Dunal to find Supplementation of the required nutrients along with phytohormones under in vitro conditions might be an enhancing factor to yield antioxidant enzymes in the static culture samples.
Abstract: Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is an erect evergreen shrub commonly known as Ashwagandha. It is widely used in Ayurvedic, and in the traditional pharmacopeia system of India. It is one of the major ingredients in many formulations prescribed for a variety of musculo-skeletal conditions including arthritis and rheumatism. In the present study, variations in the quality and quantity of proteins and antioxidant enzymes were evaluated biochemically and enzymatically from the static and suspension cultures of Withania somnifera L. The nodal segments provided the maximum callusing of 90.25±0.06% with (1mg/l) BAP and (2mg/l) Kn of 2, 4-D. The static and suspension cultures were taken for the analysis of total soluble protein, and screened for antioxidant enzyme activity [catalase (CAT), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and guaiacol peroxidase (GPX)]. The protein content (1.2016 μg/μl) was found to be higher in static culture samples (0.870 μg/μl) than the protein obtained from the suspension culture. The antioxidant enzyme activity (CAT, SOD and GPX) was higher in the static culture samples (301.01± 0.42, 198.92 ± 0.29, 103.75 ± 0.11 nkat/mg of protein) than in the suspension culture. Specific activity staining of isoenzyme pattern exhibited three isoforms (CAT 1, CAT 2 and CAT 3) in the static culture samples but CAT 1 was absent in the samples extracted from the suspension cultures. In case of SOD, four bands (SOD 1, SOD 2, SOD 3 and SOD 4) were found in both samples whereas the intensity of GPX activity was found to be more in the static culture; however, both samples exhibited three isoforms (GPX 1, GPX 2 and GPX 3). Supplementation of the required nutrients along with phytohormones under in vitro conditions might be an enhancing factor to yield antioxidant enzymes in the static culture samples.

2 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
15 Dec 2020
TL;DR: In this article, the effect of Withania somnifera root extracts on serotonin levels in Suiz albino mice was evaluated using the Beer Lamberts method. But, there was no significant difference in light absorbance values obtained by Panadol, methanol and ethanol extracts.
Abstract: Pain is a common manifestation of presence of disease or physical injury in humans. High levels of serotonin in the plasma has been associated with pain. This study aimed at determining the effect of Withania somnifera root extracts on serotonin levels in Suiz albino mice. W. somnifera root samples were collected and ground to small pieces. Ethanol, n-butanol, xylene and methanol were used to extract metabolites from the ground root materials using hot extraction technique. The mice were injected with the extracts separately and serotonin levels determined over a period of 12 h at 2 h intervals. Serotonin concentration was determined using Beer Lamberts method. Light absorbance by the extracts varied significantly (F = 50.2011 P = 1.25x10-07. The concentrations of serotonin from mice injected with the metabolites from the selected solvents varied significantly (F = 23.3269 P = 0.0000469. In addition, there was no significant difference in light absorbance values obtained by Panadol, methanol and ethanol extracts. (F = 3.7178 P = 0.089). Extracts from W. somnifera have the ability to reduce serotonin levels in plasma. Further studies on the mechanisms involved in reducing serotonin levels by W. somnifera in blood need to be carried out. There is need for mass production of metabolites from W. somnifera. Keywords: Withania somnifera, Root extracts, Serotonin, Suiz albino mice

2 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Findings indicate that Withania somnifera possesses a protective potential against HNE-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma cell line.
Abstract: The antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer activities of Withania somnifera (WS) are known for a long time. This study was aimed to examine whether WS also diminishes 4-hydroxy-trans-2-nonenal (HNE)-induced neurotoxicity in human neuroblastoma (SH-SY5Y) cell line. The cytotoxic response of HNE (0.1–50 μM) and WS (6.25–200 μg/ml) was measured by MTT assay after exposing SH-SY5Y cells for 24 h. Then neuroprotective potential was assessed by exposing the cells to biologically safe concentrations of WS (12.5, 25, and 50 μg/ml) then HNE (50 μM). Results showed a concentration-dependent protective effect of WS at 12.5, 25, and 50 μg/ml against HNE (50 μM) induced cytotoxicity and cell inhibition. Pre-exposure to WS resulted in a strong inhibition of 24, 55 and 83% in malondialdehyde (MDA) level; 5, 27 and 60% in glutathione (GSH) level; 12, 36 and 68% in catalase activity; 11, 33 and 67% in LDH leakage; and 40, 80 and 120% in cellular LDH activity at 12.5, 25, and 50 μg/ml, respectively, induced by 50 μM HNE in SH-SY5Y cells. The HNE-mediated cellular changes (cell shrinkage, rounded bodies, and inhibition of outgrowth) and increased caspase-3 activity were also prevented by WS. The HNE-induced upregulation of proapoptotic markers (p53, caspase-3, and -9, and Bax) and downregulation of antiapoptotic marker Bcl-2 genes were also blocked by pretreatment with WS. Altogether, our findings indicate that WS possesses a protective potential against HNE-induced neurotoxicity.

2 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
15 Jun 2022-Vegetos
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors identify the potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors present in Withania somnifera (Solanaceae) using computer aided drug discovery approach.
Abstract: Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has infected approximately 26 million people and caused more than 6 million deaths globally. Spike (S)-protein on the outer surface of the virus uses human trans-membrane serine protease-2 (TMPRSS2) to gain entry into the cell. Recent reports indicate that human dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitors (DPP4 or CD26) could also be utilized to check the S-protein mediated viral entry into COVID-19 patients. RNA dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) is another key virulence protein of SARS-CoV-2 life cycle. The study aimed to identify the potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 inhibitors present in Withania somnifera (Solanaceae) using computer aided drug discovery approach. Molecular docking results showed that flavone glycoside, sugar alcohol, and flavonoid present in W. somnifera showed - 11.69, - 11.61, - 10.1, - 7.71 kcal/mole binding potential against S-protein, CD26, RdRp, and TMPRSS2 proteins. The major standard inhibitors of the targeted proteins (Sitagliptin, VE607, Camostat mesylate, and Remdesivir) showed the - 7.181, - 6.6, - 5.146, and - 7.56 kcal/mole binding potential. Furthermore, the lead phytochemicals and standard inhibitors bound and non-bound RdRp and TMPRSS2 proteins were subjected to molecular dynamics (MD) simulation to study the complex stability and change in protein conformation. The result showed energetically favorable and stable complex formation in terms of RMSD, RMSF, SASA, Rg, and hydrogen bond formation. Drug likeness and physiochemical properties of the test compounds exhibited satisfactory results. Taken together, the present study suggests the presence of potential anti-SARS-CoV-2 phytochemicals in W. somnifera that requires further validation in in vitro and in vivo studies.The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42535-022-00404-4.

2 citations


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Performance
Metrics
No. of papers in the topic in previous years
YearPapers
2023114
2022265
202188
2020124
201995
2018111