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.

Experimental evaluation of deltamethrin toxicity and its amelioration by withania somnifera and spirumax in broilers

Abstract: The antioxidant potential of spirumax and Withania somnifera was assessed for prophylactic and therapeutic management of oxidative stress induced by deltamethrin at a toxic concentration level of 1 ppm in feed. A total of one hundred twenty male broiler chicks (Cobb strain) of a day old age were procured for the study. The chicks were randomly divided into eight groups consisting of fifteen in each group. Groups 1, 2 and 3 were maintained as basal diet control, spirumax control and Withania somnifera control, respectively. Group 4 was maintained on deltamethrin (100 mg/kg ) in feed throughout 6 weeks as toxic control without any treatment. Group 5 was maintained on deltamethrin (100 mg/kg) in feed along with spirumax (500 mg/kg) feed throughout 6 wks; while group 6 was maintained on deltamethrin (100mg/kg) in feed along with Withania somnifera @ 500 mg/kg feed feed throughout 6 wks of the experiment. Groups 7 and 8 were fed with deltamethrin (100 mg/kg) in feed for the first 4 wks (28 days) of study and thereafter, group 7 was given a spirumax supplemented feed @ 500 mg/kg feed and group 8 with the feed containing Withania somnifera @ 500mg/kg till the termination of the experiment at the end of 6 wk. The blood samples were drawn from wing vein on 28 day and 42 day from the birds (identified by wing band numbers) in each group for assay of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX), glutathione reductase (GSH-R) and catalase. Plasma samples were used for the estimation of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), total proteins, albumin, globulins, A/G ratio, HDL, LDL, total cholesterol and triglycerides. The TBARS and glutathione (GSH) concentrations were estimated by using liver homogenate at the end of the 6 wk. HI titer and AChE estimations were determined in the sera samples of birds at the end of the 6 wk. Histopathological studies on liver, kidney, bursa, spleen and nerve were conducted to draw possible conclusions at the end of experiment. Antioxidant enzyme levels and other sero-biochemical parameters were significantly (p<0.05) altered and the histopathology of liver, bursa, kidney and spleen in deltamethrin toxic control revealed degenerative changes and areas of necrosis. The groups treated with spirumax and Withania somnifera exhibited these changes in a milder form indicating regenerative alterations. The histology of the organs in the basal diet control, spirumax and Withania somnifera did not reveal any abnormality. In conclusion, the results of the present investigation enunciated that deltamethrin exerted its toxicity by free radical (ROS) generation or by inhibiting the major antioxidant enzymes in the biological system. Use of spirumax and root powder of Withania somnifera, countered the adverse effects of deltamethrin induced toxicity suggesting their antioxidant and immunostimulatory actions. In view of the above facts, it is advisable to use these antioxidants in poultry feeds at appropriate dose to avoid oxidative stress and hence to improve the productivity of poultry.

Evaluation of Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory Effects of a Poly-herbal Ayurvedic Formulation

Abstract: A poly-herbal ayurvedic formulation containing Sida retusa (root ), Withania somnifera, Frillaria roylei, and Paederia foetida (prasarini) is used in the treatment of inflammation and pain based on the long-term experience of the ayurvedic physicians, but no scientific study has been carried out so far. We have evaluated the analgesic and anti-inflammatory activities of the poly-herbal preparation using different animal models such as hot plate method for analgesic activity and anti-inflammatory activity by carrageenan-induced inflammation. Significant analgesic activity of the poly-herbal formulation was found after 2 hours as compared to the control. The product also showed sufficient anti-inflammatory activity while checked against carrageenan induced inflammation. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bpj.v16i1.14492 Bangladesh Pharmaceutical Journal 16 (1): 59-62, 2013

Evaluation of four medicinal herb species under conditions of water-deficit stress

Abstract: Abilities of four commercial herb species namely, Chlorophytum borivilianum, Stevia rebaudiana, Withania somnifera, and Andrographis paniculata were tested for relative drought tolerance under poly house conditions. The findings based on the quantum of data collected for growth, yield of economic parts and physiological traits reveal differential relative potential to sustain performance and cope with the conditions of water stress. Comparative performance of four herb species under stress (50% water deficit) for stress duration of 10, 20 and 30 days revealed significant adverse effects of water-deficit stress as well as stress durations. Out of the four herb species studied, adverse impact of 50% water deficit up to 30 days of stress on growth, yield, rate of photosynthesis, canopy temperature depression and chlorophyll fluorescence (Fv/Fm) ratio was significantly higher in S. rebaudiana and A. paniculata in comparison to C. borivilianum and W. somnifera. In this study, C. borivilianum and W. somnifera have exhibited greater relative drought tolerance as compared to A. paniculata and S. rebaudiana.