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.

Withanolide production by in vitro cultures of Withania somnifera and its association with differentiation

Abstract: Withanolides-steroidal lactones, isolated from various Solanaceous plants have received considerable attention due to their potential biological activities. Five selected withanolides (withanone, withaferin A, withanolide A, withanolide B, withanolide E) were identified by HPLC-UV (DAD) — positive ion electrospray ionization mass spectroscopy in Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal cv. WSR plants and tissues cultured in vitro at different developmental phases. Cultures were established from five explants on Murashige and Skoog’s medium supplemented with different plant growth regulators. Results suggest that production of withanolides is closely associated with morphological differentiation.

Role of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in the management of male infertility

Abstract: To manage male infertility caused by hormonal imbalance, infections and other predicaments, multifarious treatment strategies are emerging worldwide. Contemporary treatments, such as assisted reproductive techniques, are costly with low success rates of only 10-30%; however, herbal remedies are gaining more attention as an alternative or supplementary therapeutic modality for male infertility. The beneficial effects induced by oral intake of the roots of a small evergreen shrub, Withania sominifera (Ashwagandha) on semen quality of infertile men have previously been studied. Oral intake of Ashwagandha roots has been found to inhibit lipid peroxidation, improve sperm count and motility, and regulate reproductive hormone levels. The molecular mechanisms of these effects, however, are yet to be unveiled. In this review, we will discuss the role of herbal medicines in male infertility; provide a detailed analysis of various human and animal studies involving Withania somnifera; describe a proposed direct oxidative mechanism involving mitigation of oxidative stress as well as an indirect mechanism consisting of a gamma-aminobutyric acid-like-mimetic pathway ameliorating hormonal balance through crosstalk among different endocrine glands to improve male fertility; and how Withania somnifera supplementation mitigates risk factor-induced male infertility as well as ameliorates male fertility.

Effect of Withania somnifera on B16F-10 melanoma induced metastasis in mice

Abstract: Withania somnifera, a plant with known immunopotentiating activity and its bioactive fraction-Withanolide D were studied for their anti-metastatic activity using B16F-10 melanoma cells in C57BL/6 mice. Simultaneous administration of Withania extract (122 ± 10 tumour nodules) and Withanolide (126 ± 9 lung tumour nodules) could significantly (p < 0.001) inhibit the metastatic colony formation of the melanoma in lungs. 72.58% by extract and 69.84% by Withanolide treated, as compared to the untreated control animals also increased the survival days. Lung collagen hydroxyproline content was highly elevated in the control animals (23.5 ± 0.9 µg/mg protein), which was reduced by the simultaneous administration of both the extract (16.3 ± 2.0 µg/mg protein) and Withanolide (15.3 ± 1.8 µg/mg protein). The level of lung hexosamines (4.85 ± 0.20 mg/100 mg tissue) and uronic acids (330.1 ± 23.7 µg/100 mg tissue) content was also elevated in the control animals. The elevated level of hexosamine was significantly reduced by the treatment with extract (1.92 ± 0.05) and Withanolide (1.85 ± 0.05). Similarly, the uronic acid content was also been reduced by the simultaneous administration of both Withania extract (194.2 ± 17.4) and Withanolide (183.2 ± 8.8). The control animals had 35.3 ± 3.8 U/L γ-glutamyl transpeptidase (γ-GT), which was reduced by 50% by the treatment of extract and Withanolide to 17.5 ± 4.0 U/L and 16.3 ± 4.4 U/L respectively. There was a significant reduction in the levels of sialic acid in the serum of Withania extract (60.7 ± 7.7) and Withanolide (67.16 ± 5.8) treated animals compared to the higher level (102.2 ± 8.7) in the control animals. Histopathological analysis of the lung tissues also correlated with these findings. Prophylactic administrations of both extract as well as Withanolide were ineffective in inhibiting the metastasis of B16F-10 melanoma cells. Copyright © 2004 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Evaluation of analgesic, antipyretic and ulcerogenic effect of Withaferin A

Abstract: Withania somnifera, popularly known as Ashwagandha is widely considered to be an integral part of Ayurvedic and Indigenous medical systems for over centuries for the treatment of various ailments. Withanolides (steroid lactone), are the major active constituents present in the roots and leaves of Withania somnifera. In the present study, withaferin A (active component of Withania somnifera), a steroid lactone was examined for its analgesic, antipyretic and ulcerogenic properties employing different experimental models in mice. For comparison purpose, non steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin was used as standard. The analgesic activity was measured using the acetic acid induced-abdominal constriction and hot plate tests. The antipyretic and ulcerogenic effects were assessed using the yeast-induced pyrexia test and gastric ulceration respectively. It was found that withaferin A (20/30mg/kg b.wt. i.p.) at both the doses produced significant analgesic and antipyretic effect in comparison to standard drug indomethacin. In addition, withaferin A (30/40mg kg.b.wt. p.o.) fed animals showed absence of gastric damage at different dose levels after 16 hrs fasting, whereas indomethacin (20mg/kg/b.wt. p.o) administered mice produced remarkable gastric ulceration. The results clearly indicate that withaferin A possesses potent analgesic and antipyretic properties without causing any gastric damage. supporting previous claims of its anti-inflammatory effect. It might be a useful contribution to highlight the mechanism of action of Withania somnifera as an arthritic drug. However, there is a need for further studies in order to confirm these results with more details.