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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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Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract ingestion has been reported to decrease perceptions of stress, enhance mood, and improve cognitive function, however, it is currently unknown whether acute ashwaganda supplementation affects memory and cognitive function as mentioned in this paper .
Abstract: Background: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has been reported to decrease perceptions of stress, enhance mood, and improve cognitive function. However, it is currently unknown whether acute ashwagandha supplementation affects memory and cognitive function. This study evaluated the effects of acute ashwagandha extract ingestion on executive function. Materials and Methods: 13 healthy volunteers were administered the Berg–Wisconsin Card Sorting (BCST), Go/No-Go (GNG), Sternberg Task (STT), and Psychomotor Vigilance Task (PVTT) tests. Participants then ingested in a double-blind, placebo-controlled, and crossover manner 400 mg of a placebo (PLA) or ashwagandha (ASH) extract (NooGandha®, Specnova Inc., Boca Raton, FL, USA). Participants then performed cognitive function tests every hour for 6 h. After a 4-day washout period, volunteers repeated the experiment while receiving the remaining supplement. Data were analyzed by repeated measures General Linear Model multivariate and univariate statistics with body weight as a covariate. Results: Acute ASH supplementation increased STT-determined working memory as demonstrated by an improvement in 6 letter length, Present Reaction Time at 3 and 6 h. PVTT analysis revealed that ASH sustained attention by helping maintain reaction times, preventing mental fatigue, and remaining vigilant. Conversely, reaction times (at task 20, hour 6; overall, hour 3) increased with PLA. In the BCST, there was evidence that ASH increased the ability to recognize and ‘shift’ to a new rule compared with baseline. However, this was not seen when evaluating changes from baseline, suggesting that differences in baseline values influence results. In the GNG test, ASH ingestion promoted faster response times to respond correctly than PLA, indicating less metal fatigue. However, ASH did not affect accuracy compared to PLA, as both treatments decreased the percentage of correct answers. Conclusions: Acute supplementation with 400 mg of ashwagandha improved selected measures of executive function, helped sustain attention, and increased short-term/working memory.

2 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: The Aswagandhadi lehyam formulation is one of the most popular formulations prescribed as Rasayana (tonic) in the traditional medical system of India, Ayurveda as mentioned in this paper .
Abstract: Aswagandhadi lehyam, is one of the most popular formulations prescribed as Rasayana (tonic) in the traditional medical system of India, Ayurveda. As like other lehyam formulations, Aswagandhadi lehyam prepared as per the avaleha Kalpana in ayurveda. The formulation received its name from its major ingredient, Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Even though the Aswagandhadi lehyam used generally as rasayana, its major ingredient Ashwagandha has various medical benefits. Ashwagandha is compared well with Eleutherococcus senticosus (Siberian Ginseng) and Panax Ginseng (Chinese / Korean Ginseng) in its adaptogenic properties, and hence it is popularly known as Indian Ginseng. Since it is used as majorly as rasayana, in addition to its pharmacological studies and chemical standardisation its nutritional profiling also needs to be studied. In the present study the nutritional profiling of the Aswagandhadi lehyam is studied, which will provide a better idea regarding the nutritional values while consumed generally for increasing physical strength, endurance, stamina, vitality and vigor. It is also important to have an understanding regarding the heavy metal contamination of the formulation. Heavy metal analysis of the formulation is done in Inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The aswagandhadi lehyam prepared as per avaleha kalpana and Sahasrayogam, is regarded as the industrial working standard, and is considered for the study.. The organoleptic analysis reported - as smooth, dark brown sweet product, pleasant aroma and creamy texture. Nutritional profiling results evidenced the health benefits of the formulation including ~389 kCal of energy value, 2.1% fibre content etc. Heavy metal contamination study done with ICPMS reported the presence of trace elements like Mercury (Hg), Arsenic (As), Lead (Pb), and Cadmium (Cd) in a range of 0.02-0.39 ppm.

2 citations

Journal Article
TL;DR: In this article, the effects of exogenous supplementation of IBA and IAA in W. somnifera in vitro root cultures with the aim of optimizing the production of biomass and major withanolides were evaluated.
Abstract: Withanolides", the legendary bioactive metabolite present in leaves and roots of Withania somnifera, is well known for its therapeutic activities since ancient times. Several efforts have been made to produce these metabolites under in vitro condition. In the present study, we have tested the effects of exogenous supplementation of IBA and IAA in W. somnifera in vitro root cultures with the aim of optimizing the production of biomass and major withanolides. Among the two auxins, IBA is an effective inducer of lateral root formation thereby increasing the biomass. Accumulation of withanolide A and the biomass increases as the concentration of IBA increased to 1mg/L (2576±0.37 µg/g DW and 12.89±0.25 g/dL respectively). IAA at lower concentration favours relatively high accumulation of withanolide A (1147±0.77 µg/g DW) and at higher concentration of 1mg/L helps in higher accumulation of withaferin A (624±0.87 µg/g DW).

2 citations

Book ChapterDOI
01 Jan 2018
TL;DR: The Ayurvedic synonyms for the plant include Ashwagandha, Avarohaka, Gokarna, Turangahva, Vajikari, Varada, Varahakarni and Vrsa.
Abstract: W. somnifera belongs to family Solanaceae. The Ayurvedic synonyms for the plant include Ashwagandha, Avarohaka, Balya, Gokarna, Turangahva, Vajikari, Varada, Varahakarni and Vrsa. In English, the plant is known as winter cherry. W. somnifera is found in India.

2 citations


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