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.

Studies on biotransformation of withanolides by bacteria isolated from infected plants of Withania somnifera (Dunal)

Abstract: Endophytic microbes are commonly seen in all the plants including medicinal plants. The endophytes enhance the ability to synthesize bioactive compounds in the associated plants apart from the production of secondary metabolites. The present investigations were on analyzing these bacterial diversity associated with different medicinal plants that synthesises the secondary metabolite compounds under biotic stress in Withania somnifera. The bacterial strains were isolated and purified from the rhizosphere roots and leaves of W. somnifera. The isolated bacterial colonies were further sub-cultured and screened to species level using 16S rRNA sequencing. From the 16S rRNA sequences obtained, the strains were found to be in close match with Bacillus velezensis, Bacillus amyloliquefaciens and Pseudomonas floridensis. Further, the cell free extracts of the cultures with substrates of Withanolides and sterols were extracted and then analysed on HPLC and TLC. Of the strains obtained, B9 and B6 strains showed different bands when compared with control. Similarly, B1strain showed unique bands when compared with control. A significant rise in the production of secondary metabolites such as withaferin A, withanolide D was seen when treated with bacterial endophytes than the control. The present study could be used to trace the application of potent bacterial endophytes to nullify the pathogenicity.

Efficacy and Safety of Add-On Plant-Based Drugs for COVID-19 Patients: A Review of the Randomized Control Trials

Abstract: COVID-19 caused by the infection of SARS-CoV-2 is still a global concern. WHO reported that from 13 March to 9 April 2023, there were 3 million new cases and approximately 23,000 deaths, mostly occurring in the South-East Asia and Eastern Mediterranean regions, which is predicted due to the new Omicron variant, Arcturus XBB.1.16. Many studies have reported the potency of medicinal plants in enhancing the function of the immune system to combat virus infection. The literature review aimed to describe the efficacy and safety of add-on plant-based drugs for COVID-19 patients. The articles were explored on the PubMed and Cochrane Library databases, and published during 2020-2023. Twenty-two varieties of plants were used as add-on therapy for COVID-19 patients. These plants were Andrographis paniculata, Viola odorata, Withania somnifera, Zingiber officinale, Curcuma longa, Ferula foetida, Centella asiatica, Thymus vulgaris, Citrus sinensis, Eugenia caryophyllus, Boswellia carterii, Elettaria cardamomum, Salvia rosmarinus, Piper nigrum, Alstonia scholaris, Picrorhiza kurroa, Swertia chirata, Caesalpinia crista, Cucurbita maxima, Tinospora cordifolia, Ocimum sanctum, and Allium sativum. The best efficacy of an add-on therapy for COVID-19 patients was found in A. paniculata herbs as a single component in pharmaceutical dosage form or in combination with other plants. The safety of the plant has been confirmed. A. paniculata does not show interaction with remdesivir or favipiravir, however, caution and therapy drug monitoring is needed if A. paniculata is used in combination with lopinavir or ritonavir because a strong noncompetitive inhibition of CYP3A4 may occur.

Bioactivity Guided Fractionation and Purification of Anti-Depressant Molecule from Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

Abstract: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an important herb in the Indian traditional system of medicine for neurological disorders. However, the efforts for isolation and characterisation of a molecule with anti-depressant activity and development as a potent dosage form are limited. The objective of the present study was to characterize the Ashwagandha extract for its antidepressant fraction or constituent and to improve biological benefits at low doses. Aqueous methanol extract of Ashwagandha was prepared and fractionated into withanolides and flavonoids rich fractions. Withanolide rich fraction was subjected to phytochemical analysis to identify the active molecule/s. The compound was purified by using a semi-preparative HPLC system; identified using various spectroscopic techniques and anti-depressant activity was evaluated in rats. Enteric coating was performed on the extract and fractions after granulation and anti-depressant activity of coated samples were evaluated in rats. Aqueous methanol extract of Ashwagandha and withanolide rich fraction showed prominent dose-dependent anti-depressant activity in forced swim test in rats. Phytochemical analysis of active fraction resulted in the isolation and characterization of a major withanolide glycoside present, namely withanoside X. Enteric coated aqueous methanol extract, withanolide rich fraction and withanoside X showed significant antidepressant activity at low doses as compared to the uncoated forms. The active fraction/isolated compound is sensitive to low pH of the stomach, thus enteric coating might be beneficial to protect the actives in the stomach, facilitating the sustainable release into the intestine and in turn reduce the dosage.