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.

Antioxidants of dietary supplement withania somnifera root and leaf reduce blood glucose levels and improve diabetes

Abstract: PURPOSE: A composition containing ethanol extract of Withania somnifera for reducing blood glucose and treating diabetes is provided to ensure antioxidation. CONSTITUTION: A composition for preventing and treating diabetes contains ethanol extract of Withania somnifera roots and leaves with an activity of reducing blood glucose and improving antioxidation. A composition for preventing and treating diabetes contains phenol compounds and flavonoid extracted from Withania somnifera roots and leaves as an active ingredient. A method for preparing the Withania somnifera extract comprises: a step of pulverizing Withania somnifera roots and leaves; a step of suspending 500g of pulverized Withania somnifera in 80% ethanol; a step of extracting at 70 degree Celsius using soxhlet device for 24 hours and repeating the extraction three times; and a step of filtering the extract and evaporating ethanol.

Withania somnifera: winter cherry, Indian ginseng, ashwagandha

Abstract: Withania somnifera comes to western herbal practice from Ayurvedic medicine where it has been traditionally been used in many conditions including coughs, debility, fevers, nausea, senility, tumours and wounds, and for giving strength, improving the complexion and as a sexual stimulant. Modern research has looked at its adaptogenic effects in coping with stress, its anti-inflammatory activity, its effect in lowering blood pressure and its anti-tumour effects. (author abstract)

Quantitive evolution of withanolides content of egyptian withania somnifera (l.) roots.

Abstract: Withanolides are important secondary metabolite in Withania somnifera (L.), which have high medicinal values and possess potent anti-tumor and antioxidant properties. A simple, rapid and specific reversed-phase HPLC method for the simultaneous analysis of nine structurally similar withanolides, namely, Withanolides A, B, IV, V, withanone, 27-hydroxywithanone, withaferin A, withastramonolide and physagulin D of root tissues of Withania somnifera, collected from Egypt, has been developed using a linear binary gradient solvent system comprising of (A) 0.14 g of potassium dihydrogen phosphate in 900 mL of water, 0.5 mL of phosphoric acid, dilute with water to 1000 mL, and (B) acetonitrile were used to profile the extract compositions and to quantify the withanolides therein. Homogeneity and purity of each peak was ascertained by comparative evaluation of the on-line UV spectra of the eluted compounds with those of the reference compounds. The method described can be easily and reliably applied to the quantitative analyses of withanolides in roots of Withania somnifera L.

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha); current understanding and future prospect as a potential drug candidate

Abstract: Cancer and Neurodegenerative diseases are one of the most dreadful diseases to cure and chemotherapy has found a prime place in cancerous treatments while as different strategies have been tested in neurodegenerative diseases as well. However, due to adverse shortcomings like the resistance of cancerous cells and inefficiency in neurodegenerative disease, plant sources have always found a prime importance in medicinal use for decades, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (W. somnifera) is a well-known plant with medicinal use reported for centuries. It is commonly known as winter cherry or ashwagandha and is a prime source of pharmaceutically active compounds withanolides. In recent years research is being carried in understanding the extensive role of W. somnifera in cancer and neurological disorders. W. somnifera has been reported to be beneficial in DNA repair mechanisms; it is known for its cellular repairing properties and helps to prevent the apoptosis of normal cells. This review summarizes the potential properties and medicinal benefits of W. somnifera especially in cancer and neurodegenerative diseases. Available data suggest that W. somnifera is effective in controlling disease progressions and could be a potential therapeutic target benefiting human health status. The current review also discusses the traditional medicinal applications of W. somnifera, the experimental evidence supporting its therapeutical potential as well as obstacles that necessitate being overcome for W. somnifera to be evaluated as a curative agent in humans.