Topic
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.
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TL;DR: An efficient in vitro propagation protocol by organogenesis was developed for Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal and 1600 plantlets on an average can be produced from a single leaf.
47 citations
01 Jan 2012
TL;DR: In this article, a study was performed to evaluate the phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant activity of 70% methanolic extract of W. somnifera roots.
Abstract: Withania somnifera, also known as ‘Ashwagandha’, is an important medicinal plant that has been used in Ayurvedic and indigenous medicine for over 3,000 years. In view of its varied therapeutic potential, it has also been the subject of considerable modern scientific attention. The present study was performed to evaluate the phytochemicals and in vitro antioxidant activity of 70% methanolic extract of W. somnifera roots. The extract was used to determine the antioxidant potential using different tests including total antioxidant activity; efficiencies for scavenging of hydroxyl, superoxide, nitric oxide, singlet oxygen radicals, hypochlorous acid and inhibition of lipid peroxidation. The results obtained indicate that although W. somnifera has been widely used for centuries as immunostimulants in different ailments including neurodegenerative disorders, the 70% methanolic extract of the same also has possibility as an antioxidant and free radical scavenging agent.
46 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: The root extract induced a marked impairment in libido, sexual performance, sexual vigour, and penile erectile dysfunction that may be attributed to hyperprolactinemic, GABAergic, serotonergic or sedative activities of the extract.
Abstract: Aim: To determine the effect of a methanolic extract of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal roots on sexual competence of male rats. Methods: Male rats were orally administered 3000 mg.kg -1 .day -1 of root extract for 7 days. Their sexual behaviour was evaluated 7 days prior to treatment, day 3 and 7 of treatment, and day 7, 14 and 30 post-treatment by pairing each male with a receptive female. Results: The root extract induced a marked impairment in libido, sexual performance, sexual vigour, and penile erectile dysfunction. These effects were partly reversible on cessation of treatment. These antimasculine effects are not due to changes in testosterone levels or toxicity but may be attributed to hyperprolactinemic, GABAergic, serotonergic or sedative activities of the extract. Conclusion: Use of W. somnifera roots may be detrimental to male sexual competence.
46 citations
TL;DR: This report focuses for the first time on calystegines in Withania and Brunfelsia genera and in Mandragora autumnalis and Solanum sodomaeum species.
46 citations
Journal Article•
TL;DR: Medicinal plants namely A. officinalis and R. mucronata showed anti-HIV potential by inhibiting the virus by 2 different mechanisms and interference with the gp120/CD4 interaction and inhibition of viral Reverse Transcriptase contributed to the overall anti-viral activity in vitro.
Abstract: Medicinal plants namely Ocimum sanctum Linn., Withania somnifera Dunal, Tinospora cordifolia (Willd.) Miers. ex Hook.f. & Thoms., Avicennia officinalis Linn. and Rhizophora mucronata Lam. were screened for anti-HIV activity in the present study. O. sanctum , T. cordifolia , A. officinalis and R. mucronata showed anti-HIV potential by inhibiting the virus by 2 different mechanisms. Interference with the gp120/CD4 interaction and inhibition of viral Reverse Transcriptase (RT) contributed to the overall anti-viral activity in vitro . Among these plants A. officinalis and R. mucronata are mangrove plants and their medicinal properties are rarely reported.
46 citations