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.

Antineoplastic property of Ashwagandha for Paclitaxel concomitant, can induce p53-mediated apoptosis: In vitro search for anti-proliferative phytogent

Abstract: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal) is an important and traditional medicinal herb found in India. It has been reported that, Ashwagandha has potential anti-proliferative as well as chemo-accelerative activity. The goal of this study was to investigate the most probable reason behind Ashwagandha’s anti-proliferative and chemo-accelerative activity. In addition, chromatographically isolate and chemically characterize some new compound which have antineoplastic property and find the mode of action of it. In vitro assays (MTT and Western blot) for anti-tumorigenic potentiality of the isolated drug were carried out on HT-29, KB and HeLa cell lines. In this experimental study, purification and chemical characterization (by UV, FT-IR, HPLC, LC-MS, 1H-NMR) of an anti-cancer drug has been found as Paclitaxel. MTT-assay shows an average IC50 value of the isolated Paclitaxel is 10 nM. Western blot data reveals there may be ROS-associated p53-MDM2-related cell proliferation and apoptosis by the drug’s in vitro effect.

A Comprehensive Scientific Claims on Ethnobotany, Phytochemical Pharmacological and Toxicology of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Abstract: For more than 3,000 years, Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha, has been utilised in traditional and Ayurvedic medicine. It belongs to the ginger family. Dry powder, crude extract, and refined metabolites of the plant have all demonstrated potential therapeutic advantages in animal trials because it is a medicinal plant. Withanolides are the primary metabolites of the plant, and they are responsible for the therapeutic effects of the herb. Despite the fact that other review papers on this plant have previously been published, this review article is being provided in order to gather all of based on the most recent data on its pharmacological and phytochemical effects, which have been investigated using a variety of approaches. According to research, Ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory, adaptogen, anti-parkinsonian, anti-oxidant, and memory-boosting properties, and anticancer effects in addition to other benefits. Other effects, such as immunomodulation, hypolipidemia, antimicrobial activity, Investigations have also been done on cardiovascular defence, sexual behaviour, tolerance, and reliance. These outcomes are extremely encouraging, and they recommend more research into this herb to confirm these results and find further potential medicinal characteristics. Clinical studies including the use of ashwagandha for a number of illnesses should be carried out as well. The new evidence on its pharmacological and phytochemical activities is described in the current publication. In order to give thorough information on the ethnobotany, traditional applications, phytochemistry, and pharmacological efficacy of the medicinal plant, W. somnifera, from reliable sources, the present review has primary objectives. Keywords: Withania somnifera, Solanaceae, traditional claim, ethnobotany, phytochemistry, phytopharmacology

Chemical, microbial and safety profiling of a standardized Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) extract and Withaferin A, a potent novel phytotherapeutic of the millennium

Abstract: Background:Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, popularly known as Ashwagandha, is an ethnomedicinal plant with multiple pharmacotherapeutic applications. The diverse medicinal properties of the plant are largely due to the presence of withanolides, a group of C28 ergostane based steroidal lactones, with several sites of unsaturation and oxygenation. Withaferin A, a major with anolide present in Ashwagandha plant accounts for its emerging new roles to treat cancer, arthritis, inflammatory responses, immunomodulatory properties, and neuronal disorders. The root and leaf extracts are specifically important constituent materials for the development of phytotherapeutics, mostly intended for oral consumption. Several studies have been carried out to delineate the toxic manifestations of the extract for human consumption.Objective:Establish the broad-spectrum safety of W-ferinAmax ashwagandha (WFA).Study: This investigation demonstrated a novel, standardized W-ferinAmax ashwagandha (WFA) extraction technology from the whole herb of Withania sominfera, conducted HPLC analysis to identify the constituents, detected the heavy metals, microbiological contaminants, pesticides contaminants, and safety profile.Results:A novel extraction technology was employed to obtain WFA from the whole plant of Withania sominfera. HPLC analysis revealed that WFA contains a total of 15.4% Withanolides. In particular, Withaferin A, Withanoside IV, and Withanolide A contents were 6.469%, 1.022%, and 0.073%, respectively. The extract contained only 0.403 ppm of heavy metals out of which traces of arsenic, mercury and lead were detected, and cadmium was absent. USP recommended 80 residue basic pesticide screen indicated that the extraction was safe for human consumption. It was also found to be free from pathogenic microbes as assessed by the absence of E. coli and other coliforms, Salmonella and Staphylococcus species.Conclusion: The data generated cumulatively indicated that WFA is safe for further downstream processing to and for human consumption.Keywords: Ashwagandha, Withaferin A, phytotherapeutics, material safety; heavy metals; pesticides

Withania somnifera and its emerging anti-neoplastic effects

Abstract: I read with great interest the recent article by Minhas et al. (2012). Withania may exert a number of anti-proliferative effects besides its protective role in SLE. Withaferin A and withanolide are both extracted from Withinia. Of these, withaferin A is the most potent though withanolide also exhibits growth inhibiting activity (Choudhary et al. 2010). These anti-proliferative effects are clearly seen in NCI-H460 lung cancer cell lines (Yadav et al. 2010). Similarly, when applied to lung cancer cell lines, Withania augments the anti-neoplastic effects of chemotherapeutic agents such as paclitaxel (Senthilnathan et al. 2006). Withania extracts appear to have an immunomodulatory effect and enhance paclitaxel-induced inhibition of cell proliferation. Witharin also appears to be a radio sensitizer as it increases radio sensitivity of tumors and thereby enhances the apoptotic effects of radiotherapy (Muralikrishnan et al. 2010). Withania extracts appear to inhibit proliferation in HCT-15 colon cancer cell lines. For instance, it attenuates azoxymethane-induced colon cancer by modulating the levels of immunoglobulins G, A, and M and by exerting direct anti-proliferative effects (Mathur et al. 2004). 1-oxo-5beta, 6beta-epoxy-witha-2-enolide derived from Withania root has shown efficacy in the management of ultraviolet-B-induced dermatological carcinomas (Devi et al. 1996). Withania also appears to play a role in chemoprevention of skin malignancies. For instance, extracts from Withania roots have been shown to prevent the development of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA)induced skin cancers (Prakash et al. 2002). The above examples clearly illustrate the anti-proliferative effects of Withania and the need for further studies in this regard.