Abstract

REVIEW ON: PHARMACOLOGICAL PROFILE OF WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (ASHWAGANDHA), THE INDIAN GINSENG

Mayuri S. Pawar*, Gayatri L. Gandhi, Santoshi R. Khandare, Akash S. Jumble and H. S. Sawarkar

ABSTRACT

A frequent name for “Ashwagandha” or Indian ginseng is Withania somnifera, which is an important medicinal herb found in parts of the Indian subcontinent. Over a period of 3,000 years, Indian system of medicine has routinely employed it to cure a variety of ailments, either by itself or in conjugation with other plants. The plant ashwagandha is a member of the Solanaceae family. It is made up of a wide range of phytochemicals with diverse biological effects. Numerous pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammatory, anti-diabetic, anti-cancer, anti-microbial, antiarthritic, anti-stress/adaptogenic, neuro-protective, hepato-protective, and immunomodulatory qualities, have been demonstrated by W. somnifera. Moreover, it has been demonstrated that W. somnifera can reduce the inflammation and reactive oxygen species, modify mitochondrial activity, control apoptosis, and enhance endothelial function. One significant phytoconstituent of W. somnifera that belongs to the class of withanolides and is used in traditional medicine to treat variety of ailments is withaferin-A. We have outlined the pharmacologic activity (Preclinical and Clinical), modes of action, possible uses, commercial formulations, safety, and toxicity profile, and active phytoconstituents of W. somnifera in this review. This review covers a range of ashwagandha activities in experimental models as well as a clinical assessment of the medication at different dosage levels. The medication has been thoroughly examined from a scientific standpoint and has been shown in numerous experimental investigations to be a universal cure. This review could aid in the medications continued assessment for treating conditions that pose a risk to human health.

Keywords: Ashwagandha; Withania somnifera; winter cherry; herbal medicine; plant extract; anti-microbial activity; anti-inflammatory activity.