Steroidal lactones from Withania somnifera, an ancient plant for novel medicine

Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants

Medicinal plants are an important source of therapeutic compounds used in the treatment of many diseases since ancient times. Interestingly, they form associations with numerous microorganisms developing as endophytes or symbionts in different parts of the plants. Within the soil, arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are the most prevalent symbiotic microorganisms forming associations with more than 70% of vascular plants. In the last decade, a number of studies have reported the positive effects of AMF on improving the production and accumulation of important active compounds in medicinal plants.In this work, we reviewed the literature on the effects of AMF on the production of secondary metabolites in medicinal plants. The major findings are as follows: AMF impact the production of secondary metabolites either directly by increasing plant biomass or indirectly by stimulating secondary metabolite biosynthetic pathways. The magnitude of the impact differs depending on the plant genotype, the AMF strain, and the environmental context (e.g., light, time of harvesting). Different methods of cultivation are used for the production of secondary metabolites by medicinal plants (e.g., greenhouse, aeroponics, hydroponics, in vitro and hairy root cultures) which also are compatible with AMF. In conclusion, the inoculation of medicinal plants with AMF is a real avenue for increasing the quantity and quality of secondary metabolites of pharmacological, medical, and cosmetic interest.

Combined effects of vermicompost and vermicompost leachate on the early growth of Meloidogyne incognita stressed Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Roots of Withania somnifera, an important medicinal herb, are prone to the infection of Meloidogyne incognita (a root parasitic nematode). The infection lowers the quality and quantity of plant material and poses a challenge in crop cultivation and obtaining desirable yield. In the present study, in vitro inhibitory activity of vermicompost leachate (Vcom-L) was assessed against % hatch and survival of M. incognita in a 96 h assay. Then, Vcom-L was used as soil supplement in combination with vermicompost (Vcom) to evaluate their nematode inhibitory and stress alleviating effect in W. somnifera, in a pot experiment. Root galling intensity and growth performance of nematode-stressed W. somnifera raised from seeds pre-soaked in distilled water (DW), Vcom-L, vermicompost tea (Vcom-T) and different dilutions of Vcom-L were assessed. We observed 79% suppression of egg hatching and 89% juvenile (J2) mortality after 96 h compared to control, at 100% concentration of Vcom-L. Significant reduction in gall formation with increase in growth parameters of seedlings was observed after combined application of Vcom (60% or 100%) + Vcom-L and was evident as enhancement in seedling biomass and contents of chlorophyll and protein. However, proline, total phenolics and malondialdehyde (MDA) content declined significantly in these combinations compared to the control (0% Vcom). Activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidise (APX), guaiacol peroxidise (GPX) and glutathione reductase (GR) declined with Vcom as well as Vcom + Vcom-L and corresponded with decline in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species in leaves. Further, 1:5 and 1:10 dilutions of Vcom-L in combination with Vcom (60%) proved beneficial in mitigating the nematode-induced stress in W. somnifera. Present results showed the potential of Vcom and Vcom-L in standardised combination as an effective strategy in controlling the pathogenicity of M. incognita in medicinal plants such as W. somnifera.

Effect of standardized root extract of ashwagandha ( Withania somnifera ) on well‐being and sexual performance in adult males: A randomized controlled trial

Background and Aim

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Computational studies evidenced the potential of steroidal lactone to disrupt surface interaction of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and hACE2

The critical event in severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) pathogenesis is recognition of host cells by the virus, which is facilitated by protein-protein interaction (PPI) of viral Spike-Receptor Binding Domain (S-RBD) and Human Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2-Receptor (hACE2-R). Thus, disrupting the interaction between S-RBD and hACE2-R is widely accepted as a primary strategy for managing COVID-19. The purpose of this study is to assess the ability of three steroidal lactones (SL) (4-Dehydrowithaferin A, Withaferin A, and Withalongolide A) derived from plants to disrupt the PPI of S-RBD and hACE2-R under two conditions (CON-I and CON-II) using in-silico methods. Under CON-I, 4-Dehydrowithaferin A destabilizing the interactions between S-RBD and hACE2-R, as indicated by an increase in binding energy (BE) from -1028.5 kJ/mol (control) to -896.12 kJ/mol 4-Dehydrowithaferin A exhibited a strong interaction with S-RBD GLY496 with a hydrogen bond occupancy (HBO) of 37.33%. Under CON-II, Withalongolide A was capable of disrupting all types of PPI, as evidenced by an increased BE from -913 kJ/mol (control) to -133.69 kJ/mol and an increased distance (>3.55 nm) between selected AAR combinations of S-RBD and hACE2-R. Withalongolide A formed a hydrogen bond with TYR453 (97%, HBO) of S-RBD, which is required for interaction with hACE2-R's HIS34. Our studies demonstrated that SL molecules have the potential to disrupt the S-RBD and hACE2-R interaction, thereby preventing SARS-CoV-2 from recognizing host cells. The SL molecules can be considered for additional in-vitro and in-vivo studies with this research evidence.

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: Phytochemistry, structure-activity relationship, and anticancer potential

BACKGROUND

Ayurveda is a highly recognized, well-documented, and well-accepted traditional medicine system. This system utilizes many natural products in various forms for therapeutic purposes. Thousands of plants mentioned in the Ayurvedic system are useful in disease mitigation and health preservation. One potential plant of the Ayurvedic system is "Ashwagandha" [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal], commonly regarded as Indian Ginseng. It possesses various therapeutic activities, such as neuroprotective, hypoglycemic, hepatoprotective, antiarthritic, and anticancer effects.

PURPOSE

Here we present a comprehensive insight on the anticancer effects of W. somnifera and mechanistic attributes of its bioactive phytocompounds. This review also provides updated information on the clinical studies pertaining to cancer, safety evaluation and opportunities for chemical modifications of withanolides, a group of specialized phytochemicals of W. somnifera.

METHODS

The present study was performed in accordance with the guidelines of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systemic Reviews and Meta-Analysis. Various scientific databases, such as PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, Google Scholar, were explored for related studies published up to May 2021.

RESULTS

An updated review on the anticancer potential and mechanisms of action of the major bioactive components of W. somnifera, including withanolides, withaferin A and withanone, is presented. Comprehensive information on clinical attributes of W. somnifera and its active components are presented with the structure-activity relationship (SAR) and toxicity evaluation.

CONCLUSION

The outcome of the work clearly indicates that W. somnifera has a significant potential for cancer therapy. The SAR revealed that various withanolides in general and withaferin A in particular have binding energies against various proteins and tremendous potential to serve as the lead for new chemical entities. Nevertheless, additional studies, particularly well-designed clinical trials are required before therapeutic application of withanolides for cancer treatment.

In silico and in vitro studies on inhibitors for SARS-CoV-2 non-structural proteins with dual herbal combination of Withania somnifera with five rasayana herbs

Being highly transmissible, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has affected millions of people causing devastating global impact and has also not slowed down even after vaccination. The emerges of new strains has made more concerns than the original one. We need a new therapeutic approach against the disease. Our comprehensive in silico study investigates dual herbal combinatorial methanolic extracts of W. somnifera (W) alone and with P. emblica (P) (W:P/1:4) , T. sinensis (T) (W:T/1:4), B. monnieri (B) (W:B/1:1), O. basilicum (O) (W:O/1:4), A. racemosus (A) (W:A/4:1) for potential four phytochemicals as ligands docked with eight COVID-19 Nonstructural proteins (nsp)-main protease (PDB ID:6LU7), papain-like protease (6WUU), helicase ADP (2XZL), N7-methyltransferase (5C8S), endoribonuclease (6WLC), 2'O-methyltransferase (6WVN), RNA dependent RNA polymerase (6M71), and 3Cprotease (6YNQ) along with Remdesivir and Hydroxychloroquine. Ligands from W:P/1:4 showed remarkable docking score (-9.01 kcal/mol) 6M71-(8E,11E,14E)-eicosa-8,11,14-trienoicacidmethylester (EIS) and (-9.99 kcal/mol) 6YNQ-N-[(E)-[4-[(2-methoxydibenzofuran-3-yl)amino]-4-oxobutan-2-ylidene]amino] 4nitrobenzamide (MET). Further, MD simulations were studied for 100 ns and showed the complexes were flexible, stable in the binding pockets of the receptors, and MM-PBSA analysis determined high binding energy of -129.673 ± 15.284 and -134.594 ± 7.085 for 6M71-EIS (Asn⁴⁹⁶, Lys⁵⁷⁷, Arg⁵⁶⁹) and 6YNQ-MET (Cys¹⁴⁵, His⁴¹). Finally, in vitro JURKAT E6.1 cell lines treated with W:P/1:4 and W:O/1:4 methanolic extracts yielded 44.06 and 31.53 ng/mL levels for interferon alpha to counteract an external stimulus by establishing an antiviral state. Thus, nsp is targeted to design effective antiviral drugs for developing an effective therapeutic approach to combat viral RNA synthesis, processing, and suppression of host immunity.Communicated by Ramaswamy H. Sarma.

Exploring nature's bounty: identification of Withania somnifera as a promising source of therapeutic agents against COVID-19 by virtual screening and in silico evaluation

Coronaviruses are etiological agents of extreme human and animal infection resulting in abnormalities primarily in the respiratory tract. Presently, there is no defined COVID-19 intervention and clinical trials of prospective therapeutic agents are still in the nascent stage. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS), is an important medicinal plant in Ayurveda. The present study aimed to evaluate the antiviral potential of selected WS phytoconstituents against the novel SARS-CoV-2 target proteins and human ACE2 receptor using in silico methods. Most of the phytoconstituents displayed good absorption and transport kinetics and were also found to display no associated mutagenic or adverse effect(s). Molecular docking analyses revealed that most of the WS phytoconstituents exhibited potent binding to human ACE2 receptor, SAR-CoV and SARS-CoV-2 spike glycoproteins as well as the two main SARS-CoV-2 proteases. Most of the phytoconstituents were predicted to undergo Phase-I metabolism prior to excretion. All phytoconstituents had favorable bioactivity scores with respect to various receptor proteins and target enzymes. SAR analysis revealed that the number of oxygen atoms in the withanolide backbone and structural rearrangements were crucial for effective binding. Molecular simulation analyses of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and papain-like protease with Withanolides A and B, respectively, displayed a stability profile at 300 K and constant RMSDs of protein side chains and Cα atoms throughout the simulation run time. In a nutshell, WS phytoconstituents warrant further investigations in vitro and in vivo to unravel their molecular mechanism(s) and modes of action for their future development as novel antiviral agents against COVID-19.

Pharmacokinetic Study of Withanosides and Withanolides from Withania somnifera Using Ultra-High Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS)

Withania somnifera is a traditional Indian herb described under the 'Rasayana' class in Ayurveda, which gained immense popularity as a dietary supplement in the USA, Europe, Asia, and the Indian domestic market. Despite enormous research on the pharmacological effect of withanosides and withanolides, bioanalytical method development and pharmacokinetics remained challenging and unexplored for these constituents due to isomeric and isobaric characteristics. In current research work, molecular descriptors, pharmacokinetic, and toxicity prediction (ADMET) of these constituents were performed using Molinspiration and admetSAR tools. A rapid, selective, and reproducible bioanalytical method was developed and validated for seven withanosides and withanolides as per USFDA/EMA guidelines, further applied to determine pharmacokinetic parameters of Withania somnifera root extract (WSE) constituents in male Sprague Dawley rats at a dose of 500 mg/kg. Additionally, an ex vivo permeability study was carried out to explore the absorption pattern of withanosides and withanolides from the intestinal lumen. In silico, ADMET revealed oral bioavailability of withanosides and withanolides following Lipinski's rules of five with significant absorption from the gastrointestinal tract and the ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. Upon oral administration of WSE, Cmax was found to be 13.833 ± 3.727, 124.415 ± 64.932, 57.536 ± 7.523, and 7.283 ± 3.341 ng/mL for withanoside IV, withaferin A, 12-Deoxy-withastramonolide, and withanolide A, respectively, with Tmax of 0.750 ± 0.000, 0.250 ± 0.000, 0.291 ± 0.102, and 0.333 ± 0.129 h. Moreover, at a given dose, withanoside V, withanolide B, and withanone were detected in plasma; however, the concentration of these constituents was found below LLOQ. Thus, these four major withanoside and withanolides were quantified in plasma supported by ex vivo permeation data exhibiting a time-dependent absorption of withanosides and withanolides across the intestinal barrier. These composite findings provide insights to design a clinical trial of WSE as a potent nutraceutical.

Root Cultures, a Boon for the Production of Valuable Compounds: A Comparative Review

Medicinal plants are an inevitable source of pharmaceutical drugs and most of the world population depends on these plants for health benefits. The increasing global demand for bioactive compounds from medicinal plants has posed a great threat to their existence due to overexploitation. Adventitious root and hairy root culture systems are an alternative approach to the conventional method for mass production of valuable compounds from medicinal plants owing to their rapid growth, biosynthetic and genetic stability. The main purpose of this review is to investigate the recent scientific research published worldwide on the application of adventitious and hairy root cultures to produce valuable compounds from medicinal plants. Furthermore, a comparison of adventitious root vs. hairy root cultures to produce valuable compounds has also been discussed. Various aspects such as medium composition, carbon source, pH, amount of macronutrients, optimization strategy, scale-up cultures, and use of biotic abiotic and nano-elicitors at various concentrations are the topic of discussion in this review. Several studies on adventitious and hairy root cultures of Polygonum multiflorum¸ Withania somnifera¸ Echinacea purpurea and Ajuga bracteosa have been discussed in detail which highlights the importance of elicitation strategies and bioreactor system, presenting commercial applications.

Molecular characterization of three CYP450 genes reveals their role in withanolides formation and defense in Withania somnifera, the Indian Ginseng

The medicinal properties of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) are attributed to triterpenoid steroidal lactones, withanolides, which are proposed to be derived from phytosterol pathway, through the action of cytochrome P450 (CYP450) enzymes. Here, we report the characterization of three transcriptome-mined CYP450 genes (WsCYP749B1, WsCYP76 and WsCYP71B10), which exhibited induced expression in response to methyl jasmonate treatment indicating their role in secondary metabolism. All three WsCYP450s had the highest expression in leaf compared to other tissues. In planta characterization of WsCYP450s through virus induced gene silencing (VIGS) and transient overexpression approaches and subsequent metabolite analysis indicated differential modulation in the accumulation of certain withanolides in W. somnifera leaves. While WsCYP749B1-vigs significantly enhanced withaferin A (~ 450%) and reduced withanolide A (~ 50%), its overexpression drastically led to enhanced withanolide A (> 250%) and withanolide B (> 200%) levels and reduced 12-deoxywithastramonolide (~ 60%). Whereas WsCYP76-vigs led to reduced withanolide A (~ 60%) and its overexpression increased withanolide A (~ 150%) and reduced 12-deoxywithastramonolide (~ 60%). Silencing and overexpression of WsCYP71B10 resulted in significant reduction of withanolide B (~ 50%) and withanolide A (~ 60%), respectively. Further, while VIGS of WsCYP450s negatively affected the expression of pathogenesis-related (PR) genes and compromised tolerance to bacteria P. syringae DC3000, their overexpression in W. somnifera and transgenic tobacco led to improved tolerance to the bacteria. Overall, these results showed that the identified WsCYP450s have a role in one or several steps of withanolides biosynthetic pathway and are involved in conferring tolerance to biotic stress.

Effect of Withanolide A on 7-Ketocholesterol Induced Cytotoxicity in hCMEC/D3 Brain Endothelial Cells

Withanolide A is a naturally occurring phytochemical that is found in Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, fam. Solanaceae) or Indian Ginseng. In the current study, we elucidated the effect of withanolide A on 7-ketocholesterol (7KC) induced injury in hCMEC/D3 human brain endothelial cells. 7KC is a cholesterol oxidation product or oxysterol that is present in atherosclerotic plaques and is elevated in the plasma of patients with hypercholesterolemia and/or diabetes mellitus. Results showed that withanolide A significantly reduced the effects of 7KC, which include loss of endothelial cell viability, increase in expression of pro-inflammatory genes-IL-1β, IL-6, IL-8, TNF-α, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), increased COX-2 enzyme activity, increased ROS formation, increased expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase and genes associated with blood clotting, including Factor 2/thrombin, Factor 8, von Willebrand factor, and thromboxane A synthase, and increased human thrombin enzyme activity. Some of the above effects of withanolide A on 7KC were reduced in the presence of the glucocorticoid receptor antagonist, mifepristone (RU486). These findings suggest that the glucocorticoid receptor could play a role in the cytoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-clotting effects of withanolide A against 7KC. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the detailed mechanisms of action of withanolide A against oxysterol-induced injury.

Sodium-calcium exchanger isoform-3 targeted Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal therapeutic intervention ameliorates cognition in the 5xFAD mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

The third isoform of the Na+-Ca2+ exchanger (NCX3) is crucial for a physiological fine-tuning of the Ca2+ fluxes in excitable tissues. In this view, the NCX3 accounts for the aberrant Ca2+ influx seen during neuronal excitotoxicity, such as in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, little is known about NCX3 regulation and functional properties. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (W. somnifera), a traditional indigenous plant widely recognized for having numerous medicinal values, was undertaken to determine its potential therapeutic benefit against aggregated Aβ1-42-induced NCX3 dysregulation and the thereof cognition impairment in 5xFAD mice. The undertaken sourced dried roots of authenticated W. somnifera physicochemical compositional tests satisfied standards of pharmacognostic quality, and further phytochemical analysis of the roots methanol extract revealed the roots constitute several antioxidants. Following an intra-gastric gavage administration of synthesized W. somnifera roots methanolic extract from postnatal day 30 (P30) to P75, in vivo cognitional studies and then neurochemical examinations of the NCX3 expression level, Aβ plaque deposition, and antioxidant activities in the AD-associated brain regions of 4-month-old 5xFAD mice suggests that the oxidative stress normalizing effects of W. somnifera constituents, operating on the NCX3, may have a therapeutic role in the improvement of cognition in AD.

Synergy based extracts of medicinal plants: Future antimicrobials to combat multidrug resistance

The use of herbal medicines and supplements in the last thirty years has increased enormously. Herbal medication has demonstrated promising and effective potential against various diseases. Herbal and phytoconstituent medications are gaining popularity globally and many people are adopting herbal remedies to deal with different health issues. The indiscriminate use of antibiotics, due to the development of antimicrobial resistance, poses an unprecedented problem for human civilization. Bacterial infections are difficult to cure because of the propensity of microbes to acquire resistance to a wide range of antimicrobial drugs. New compounds are being explored and quantified for possible antibacterial activity with little or no side effects. Researchers are investigating the range of therapeutic plants mentioned in Unani, Ayurveda, and Siddha around the globe. Known and commonly acclaimed global databases such as PubMed, Research Gate, Science Direct, Google Scholar, were searched using different search strings such as Indian medicinal plants, multidrug resistance (MDR), thin layer chromatography (TLC), antimicrobials, and Synergism were used in diverse combinations to reclaim numerous citations associated with this area. Thus, the current review aims to shed a light on the information of medicinal plants as a potential foundation of herbal drugs and elucidate how synergism and TLC bioautography plays a crucial role in finding antimicrobial compounds.

Insecticidal and Antifungal Activities of Chemically-Characterized Essential Oils from the Leaves of Withania frutescens L

The current study was conducted to investigate antifungal and insecticidal activities of essential oil extracted from the Moroccan Withania frutescens L. (EOW), and their chemical composition was profiled. To achieve this goal, EOW was extracted by the hydro-distillation method and their phytochemical constituents were characterized by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analyses (GC-MS). Insecticidal activity was evaluated by use of four tests: contact toxicity, inhalation toxicity, and repellent tests. Antifungal activity was evaluated on Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. Ciceris (F. oxysporum) using different concentrations of EOW. GC/MS analysis revealed that EOW was rich in carvacrol (31.87%), thymol (30.08%), and camphor (9.13%). At a 1-µL/L dose, EOW exhibited mortality rates of 23.13 ± 1.07% and 24.41 ± 1.21% against Callosobruchus maculatus (C.maculatus) by inhalation and contact, respectively. Notably, EOW dose of 20 μL/L caused significant mortality rates of 95.1 ± 3.5% and 76.69 ± 1.71% by inhalation and contact, respectively. EOW exhibited an inhibitory effect on mycelial growth against the tested fungi F. oxysporum of 100% and 93.5 ± 1.1% for the 9 and 4.5 mg/mL doses, respectively. The reduced mycelial growth rate for F. oxysporum was recorded to be 0.3 ± 0.1 and 0.6 ± 0.1 mm/h for the EOW doses of 2.25 and 4.5 mg/mL, respectively. The outcome of the present work showed that EOW has a promising antifungal and insecticidal activity, and it can therefore be employed as a natural alternative insecticidal and mycocidal agent to replace the chemically-synthesized ones.

Oxidative Stress and Male Infertility: Role of Herbal Drugs

Infertility is a universal health problem affecting 15% of couples, out of which 20-30% cases are due to male infertility. The leading causes of male infertility include hormonal defects, physical reasons, sexual problems, hazardous environment, stressful lifestyle, genetic factors, epigenetic factors, and oxidative stress. Various physiological functions involve reactive oxygen species (ROS) and nitrogen species at appropriate levels for proper smooth functioning. ROS control critical reproductive processes such as capacitation, acrosomal reaction, hyperactivation, egg penetration, and sperm head decondensation. The excessive free radicals or imbalance between ROS and endogenous antioxidant enzymes damages sperm membrane by inducing lipid peroxidation causing mitochondrial dysfunction and DNA damage that eventually lead to male infertility. Numerous synthetic products are available in the market to treat infertility problems, largely ending in side effects and repressing symptoms. Ayurveda contains a particular group of Rasayana herbs, called vajikarana, that deals with nourishment and stimulation of sexual tissues, improves male reproductive vitality, and deals with oxidative stress via antioxidant mechanism. The present study aims to describe oxidative stress and the role of herbal drugs in treating male infertility.

A comparative study of the efficiency of Withania somnifera and carbamazepine on lifespan, reproduction and epileptic phenotype - A study in Drosophila paralytic mutant

Background

Seizure disorders are considered a serious health issue because of the vast number of people affected globally and the limited treatment options. Approximately 15 million epileptic patients worldwide do not respond to any of the currently available medications. Carbamazepine (CBZ) is one of the most widely used antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) for the treatment of epilepsy, which is discontinued in less than 5% of epileptic patients due to its side effects. In traditional medicine, to establish the foundation of health care, plant extracts are utilized to a great extent to treat different pathologies. Withania somnifera (W. somnifera) is an herbal component with anticonvulsant properties.

Objectives

To compare the medicinal effects of W. somnifera on lifespan, fecundity, fertility and epileptic phenotype in Drosophila paralytic mutant (para^bss1) model system with CBZ, a commonly used AED.

Material and methods

Flies were exposed to three different doses of W. somnifera or CBZ in standard wheat flour-agar media for six days. Drosophila Oregon-R strain was used as a control.

Results

Results indicate that a high dose of W. somnifera increased the lifespan in Drosophila para^bss1 while remaining safe for fecundity and fertility. CBZ decreased the lifespan of para^bss1 mutant at higher dose (40 μg/ml), as expected, and also reduced the fecundity and fertility of the flies. Our findings indicate that W. somnifera was more effective than CBZ to control epileptic phenotype.

Conclusion

W. somnifera is an effective medication with no side effects for treating epilepsy in Drosophila paralytic mutant.

Chemical Composition, Biological Activity, and Health-Promoting Effects of Withania somnifera for Pharma-Food Industry Applications

The Withania genus comes from the Solanaceae family and includes around 23 species, spread over some areas of the Mediterranean, Asia, and East Africa. Widely used in traditional medicine for thousands of years, these plants are rich in secondary metabolites, with special emphasis on steroidal lactones, named withanolides which are used as ingredients in numerous formulations for a plethora of diseases, such as asthma, diabetes, arthritis, impotence, amnesia, hypertension, anxiety, stress, cancer, neurodegenerative, and cardiovascular diseases, and many others. Among them, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is the most widely addressed species from a pharmacological and agroindustrial point of view. In this sense, this review provides an overview of the folk uses, phytochemical composition, and biological activity, such as antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and cytotoxic activity of W. somnifera, although more recently other species have also been increasingly investigated. In addition, their health-promoting effects, i.e., antistress, anxiolytic, adaptogenic, antirheumatoid arthritis, chemoprotective, and cardiorespiratory-enhancing abilities, along with safety and adverse effects are also discussed.

Phytochemistry, Food Application, and Therapeutic Potential of the Medicinal Plant (Withania coagulans): A Review

Herbal plants have been utilized to treat and cure various health-related problems since ancient times. The use of Ayurvedic medicine is very significant because of its least reported side effects and host of advantages. Withania coagulans (Family; Solanaceae), a valuable medicinal plant, has been used to cure abnormal cell growth, wasting disorders, neural as well as physical problems, diabetes mellitus, insomnia, acute and chronic hepatic ailments. This review provides critical insight regarding the phytochemistry, biological activities, and pharmacognostic properties of W. coagulans. It has been known to possess diuretic, anti-inflammatory, anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, cardio-protective, hepato-protective, hypoglycemic, anti-oxidative, and anti-mutagenic properties owing to the existence of withanolides, an active compound present in it. Apart from withanolides, W. coagulans also contains many phytochemicals such as flavonoids, tannins, and β-sterols. Several studies indicate that various parts of W. coagulans and their active constituents have numerous pharmacological and therapeutic properties and thus can be considered as a new drug therapy against multiple diseases.

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha): A comprehensive review on ethnopharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, biomedicinal and toxicological aspects

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) has been used as a traditional Rasayana herb for a long time. Traditional uses of this plant indicate its ameliorative properties against a plethora of human medical conditions, viz. hypertension, stress, diabetes, asthma, cancer etc. This review presents a comprehensive summary of the geographical distribution, traditional use, phytochemistry, and pharmacological activities of W. somnifera and its active constituents. In addition, it presents a detailed account of its presence as an active constituent in many commercial preparations with curative properties and health benefits. Clinical studies and toxicological considerations of its extracts and constituents are also elucidated. Comparative analysis of relevant in-vitro, in-vivo, and clinical investigations indicated potent bioactivity of W. somnifera extracts and phytochemicals as anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, apoptotic, immunomodulatory, antimicrobial, anti-diabetic, hepatoprotective, hypoglycaemic, hypolipidemic, cardio-protective and spermatogenic agents. W. somnifera was found to be especially active against many neurological and psychological conditions like Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, ischemic stroke, sleep deprivation, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia and obsessive-compulsive disorder. The probable mechanism of action that imparts the pharmacological potential has also been explored. However, in-depth studies are needed on the clinical use of W. somnifera against human diseases. Besides, detailed toxicological analysis is also to be performed for its safe and efficacious use in preclinical and clinical studies and as a health-promoting herb.

Chronic Stress and Oxidative Stress as Common Factors of the Pathogenesis of Depression and Alzheimer's Disease: The Role of Antioxidants in Prevention and Treatment

There is a growing body of scientific research showing the link between depression and dementia in Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The chronic stress contributes to the formation of oxidative stress in the parts of the brain involved in the development of depression and AD. The scientific literature reports the significant role of antioxidants, which are highly effective in treating these diseases. In this review, we have summarized the relationship between chronic stress, oxidative stress, and the changes in the brain they cause occurring in the brain. Among all the compounds showing antioxidant properties, the most promising results in AD treatment were observed for Vitamin E, coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10), melatonin, polyphenols, curcumin, and selenium. In case of depression treatment, the greatest potential was observed in curcumin, zinc, selenium, vitamin E, and saffron.

Production of bioactive plant secondary metabolites through in vitro technologies-status and outlook

Medicinal plants have been used by mankind since ancient times, and many bioactive plant secondary metabolites are applied nowadays both directly as drugs, and as raw materials for semi-synthetic modifications. However, the structural complexity often thwarts cost-efficient chemical synthesis, and the usually low content in the native plant necessitates the processing of large amounts of field-cultivated raw material. The biotechnological manufacturing of such compounds offers a number of advantages like predictable, stable, and year-round sustainable production, scalability, and easier extraction and purification. Plant cell and tissue culture represents one possible alternative to the extraction of phytochemicals from plant material. Although a broad commercialization of such processes has not yet occurred, ongoing research indicates that plant in vitro systems such as cell suspension cultures, organ cultures, and transgenic hairy roots hold a promising potential as sources for bioactive compounds. Progress in the areas of biosynthetic pathway elucidation and genetic manipulation has expanded the possibilities to utilize plant metabolic engineering and heterologous production in microorganisms. This review aims to summarize recent advances in the in vitro production of high-value plant secondary metabolites of medicinal importance.

Key points

• Bioactive plant secondary metabolites are important for current and future use in medicine

• In vitro production is a sustainable alternative to extraction from plants or costly chemical synthesis

• Current research addresses plant cell and tissue culture, metabolic engineering, and heterologous production

Antifungal Activity of Isolated Compounds from the Leaves of Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) Sond. and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal against Fusarium Pathogens

Crop diseases caused by Fusarium pathogens, among other microorganisms, threaten crop production in both commercial and smallholder farming. There are increasing concerns about the use of conventional synthetic fungicides due to fungal resistance and the associated negative effects of these chemicals on human health, livestock and the environment. This leads to the search for alternative fungicides from nature, especially from plants. The objectives of this study were to characterize isolated compounds from Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) Sond. and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal leaf extracts, evaluate their antifungal activity against Fusarium pathogens, their phytotoxicity on maize seed germination and their cytotoxicity effect on Raw 264.7 macrophage cells. The investigation led to the isolation of antifungal compounds characterized as 5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone, maslinic acid (21-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid) and withaferin A (4β,27-dihydroxy-1-oxo-5β,6β-epoxywitha-2-24-dienolide). The structural elucidation of the isolated compounds was established using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy (MS) and, in comparison, with the available published data. These compounds showed good antifungal activity with minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) less than 1.0 mg/mL against one or more of the tested Fusarium pathogens (F. oxysporum, F. verticilloides, F. subglutinans, F. proliferatum, F. solani, F. graminearum, F. chlamydosporum and F. semitectum). The findings from this study indicate that medicinal plants are a good source of natural antifungals. Furthermore, the isolated antifungal compounds did not show any phytotoxic effects on maize seed germination. The toxicity of the compounds A (5-hydroxy-7,4'-dimethoxyflavone) and AI (4β,27-dihydroxy-1-oxo-5β,6β-epoxywitha-2-24-dienolide) was dose-dependent, while compound B (21-hydroxy-3-oxo-olean-12-en-28-oic acid) showed no toxicity effect against Raw 264.7 macrophage cells.

Natural bioactive molecules: An alternative approach to the treatment and control of glioblastoma multiforme

Glioblastoma multiforme is one of the most deadly malignant tumors, with more than 10,000 cases recorded annually in the United States. Various clinical analyses and studies show that certain chronic diseases, including cancer, interact between cell-reactive radicals rise and pathogenesis. Reactive oxygen and nitrogenous sources include endogenous (physiological processes), and exogenous sources contain reactive oxygen and nitrogen (xenobiotic interaction). The cellular oxidation/reduction shifts to oxidative stress when the regulation mechanisms of antioxidants are surpassed, and this raises the ability to damage cellular lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. OBJECTIVE: This review is focused on how phytochemicals play crucial role against glioblastoma multiforme and to combat these, bioactive molecules and their derivatives are either used alone, in combination with anticancer drugs or as nanomedicine formulations for better cancer theranostics over the conventional approach. CONCLUSION: Bioactive molecules found in seeds, vegetables, and fruits have antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer properties that may help cancer survivors feel better throughout chemotherapy or treatment. However, incorporating them into the nanocarrier-based drug delivery for the treatment of GBMs, which could be a promising therapeutic strategy for this tumor entity, increasing targeting effectiveness, increasing bioavailability, and reducing side effects with this target-specificity, drug internalization into cells is significantly improved, and off-target organ aggregation is reduced.

Pharmacological Efficacy of Ginseng against Respiratory Tract Infections

Respiratory tract infections are underestimated, as they are mild and generally not incapacitating. In clinical medicine, however, these infections are considered a prevalent problem. By 2030, the third most comprehensive reason for death worldwide will be chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), according to the World Health Organization. The current arsenal of anti-inflammatory drugs shows little or no benefits against COPD. For thousands of years, herbal drugs have been used to cure numerous illnesses; they exhibit promising results and enhance physical performance. Ginseng is one such herbal medicine, known to alleviate pro-inflammatory chemokines and cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IFN-γ, TNF-α, IL-5, IL-6, IL-8) formed by macrophages and epithelial cells. Furthermore, the mechanisms of action of ginsenoside are still not fully understood. Various clinical trials of ginseng have exhibited a reduction of repeated colds and the flu. In this review, ginseng’s structural features, the pathogenicity of microbial infections, and the immunomodulatory, antiviral, and anti-bacterial effects of ginseng were discussed. The focus was on the latest animal studies and human clinical trials that corroborate ginseng’s role as a therapy for treating respiratory tract infections. The article concluded with future directions and significant challenges. This review would be a valuable addition to the knowledge base for researchers in understanding the promising role of ginseng in treating respiratory tract infections. Further analysis needs to be re-focused on clinical trials to study ginseng’s efficacy and safety in treating pathogenic infections and in determining ginseng-drug interactions.

Role of Withaferin A and Its Derivatives in the Management of Alzheimer's Disease: Recent Trends and Future Perspectives

Globally, Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent age-related neurodegenerative disorders associated with cognitive decline and memory deficits due to beta-amyloid deposition (Aβ) and tau protein hyperphosphorylation. To date, approximately 47 million people worldwide have AD. This figure will rise to an estimated 75.6 million by 2030 and 135.5 million by 2050. According to the literature, the efficacy of conventional medications for AD is statistically substantial, but clinical relevance is restricted to disease slowing rather than reversal. Withaferin A (WA) is a steroidal lactone glycowithanolides, a secondary metabolite with comprehensive biological effects. Biosynthetically, it is derived from Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) and Acnistus breviflorus (Gallinero) through the mevalonate and non-mevalonate pathways. Mounting evidence shows that WA possesses inhibitory activities against developing a pathological marker of Alzheimer's diseases. Several cellular and animal models' particulates to AD have been conducted to assess the underlying protective effect of WA. In AD, the neuroprotective potential of WA is mediated by reduction of beta-amyloid plaque aggregation, tau protein accumulation, regulation of heat shock proteins, and inhibition of oxidative and inflammatory constituents. Despite the various preclinical studies on WA's therapeutic potentiality, less is known regarding its definite efficacy in humans for AD. Accordingly, the present study focuses on the biosynthesis of WA, the epidemiology and pathophysiology of AD, and finally the therapeutic potential of WA for the treatment and prevention of AD, highlighting the research and augmentation of new therapeutic approaches. Further clinical trials are necessary for evaluating the safety profile and confirming WA's neuroprotective potency against AD.

Ashwagandha: Advances in plant biotechnological approaches for propagation and production of bioactive compounds

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Withania somnifera is one of the most extensively delved Ayurvedic medicine. Apart from rejuvenation and increasing longevity, it has several other properties such as immunomodulation, anti-cancer, anti-stress and neuroprotection. Because of its prevailing use and increasing demand, it becomes prudent to scientifically evaluate and document both its propagation and production of desired phytoconstituents.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This review aims to highlight the research progress achieved on various biotechnological and tissue culture aspects of Withania somnifera and to cover up-to-date information regarding in-vitro propagation and production of withanolides.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Significant published studies were identified for the years 2000-2018 using Elsevier-Science Direct, Pubmed and Google scholar and several research studies in our laboratory. Following keywords such as "plant extracts", "in vitro cultures", "callus and suspension culture", "micropropagation", "hairy root cultures" were used. Further, "Withania somnifera", "secondary metabolites specially withanolides", "molecular techniques" and "in vitro conservation" were used to cross-reference the keywords.

RESULTS

Ashwagandha comprises a broad spectrum of phytochemicals with a wide range of pharmacological properties. W. somnifera seeds have reduced viability and germination rates; thus, its regular cultivation method fails to achieve commercial demands mainly for the production of desired phytoconstituents. Cultivation of plant cells/tissues under in vitro conditions and development of various biotechnological strategies will help to build an attractive alternative to provide adequate quality and quantity raw materials. Recently, a large number of in vitro protocols has developed for W. somnifera not only for its propagation but for the production of secondary metabolites as well. Present work highlights a variety of biotechnological strategies both for prompt propagation and production of different bioactive secondary metabolites.

CONCLUSION

The present review focuses on the development and opportunities in various biotechnological approaches to accomplish the global demand of W. somnifera and its secondary metabolites. This review underlines the advances in plant biotechnological approaches for the propagation of W. somnifera and production of its bioactive compounds.

Investigation of CYP2B6, 3A4 and β-esterase interactions of Withania somnifera (L.) dunal in human liver microsomes and HepG2 cells

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) is a traditional herb, used in African indigenous systems of medicine for the treatment of various diseases (including HIV/AIDS and tuberculosis). The relevance of clinically significant interactions of Withania with ARVs and anti-TB drugs needs to be investigated.

AIM OF THE STUDY

This study evaluated the effects of its roots on cytochromes P450 (CYPs) 2B6, 3A4, and rifampicin metabolism pathway, using methanol, ethanol, aqueous, and ethyl acetate solvent extractions.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The extracts were tested on human liver microsomes (HLM) for CYP inhibition, mRNA expression in HepG2 cells for CYP induction. Biochemical qualitative tests and LC-MS/MS methodology were used to determine active phytoconstituents.

RESULTS

The methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts inhibited CYP2B6 with IC₅₀s 79.16 and 57.96 μg/ml respectively, while none of the extracts had any effect on rifampicin metabolism or showed time-dependant inhibition (TDI). All extracts were moderate inducers of CYP3A4; the aqueous extract exhibited 38%-fold shift induction of CYP3A4 compared to the control. The methanolic extract had the lowest CTC₅₀ (50% of cytotoxicity inhibition) (67.13 ± 0.83 μg/ml). LC-MS/MS-PDA full scans were consistent with the presence of flavone salvigenin (m/z 327), alkaloid isopelletierine (m/z 133), steroidal lactone 2,3-dihydrowithaferin-A (m/z 472), and other withanolides including withaperuvin I (m/z 533), withaferin derivative (m/z 567), some of these compounds likely being responsible for the observed CYP2B6 inhibition and CYP3A4 induction. The putative gastrointestinal tract (GIT) concentration for the active extracts was 1800 μg/ml and the hepatic circulation concentrations were estimated at about 220 μg/ml and 13.5 μg/ml for the methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts, respectively. The extrapolated in vivo percentage of inhibition was at 85% for the methanolic extract against CYP2B6.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings reported in this study suggest that W. somnifera extracts have the potential of causing clinically significant herb-drug interactions (HDI) as moderate inducer of CYP3A4 and inhibitor of CYP2B6 metabolism pathway (methanol and ethyl acetate extracts).

Elucidation of plasma protein binding, blood partitioning, permeability, CYP phenotyping and CYP inhibition studies of Withanone using validated UPLC method: An active constituent of neuroprotective herb Ashwagandha

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Withanone (WN), an active constituent of Withania somnifera commonly called Ashwagandha has remarkable pharmacological responses along with neurological activities. However, for a better understanding of the pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic behavior of WN, a comprehensive in-vitro ADME (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion) studies are necessary.

AIM OF THE STUDY

A precise, accurate, and sensitive reverse-phase ultra-performance liquid chromatographic method of WN was developed and validated in rat plasma for the first time. The developed method was successfully applied to the in-vitro ADME investigation of WN.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The passive permeability of WN was assayed using PAMPA plates and the plasma protein binding (PPB) was performed using the equilibrium dialysis method. Pooled liver microsomes of rat (RLM) and human (HLM) were used for the microsomal stability, CYP phenotyping, and inhibition studies. CYP phenotyping was evaluated using the specific inhibitors. CYP inhibition study was performed using specific probe substrates along with WN or specific inhibitors.

RESULTS

WN was found to be stable in the simulated gastric and intestinal environment and has a high passive permeability at pH 4.0 and 7.0 in PAMPA assay. The PPB of WN at 5 and 20 μg/mL concentrations were found to be high i.e. 82.01 ± 1.44 and 88.02 ± 1.15%, respectively. The in vitro half-life of WN in RLM and HLM was found to be 59.63 ± 2.50 and 68.42 ± 2.19 min, respectively. CYP phenotyping results showed that WN was extensively metabolized by CYP 3A4 and1A2 enzymes in RLM and HLM. However, the results of CYP Inhibition studies showed that none of the CYP isoenzymes were potentially inhibited by WN in RLM and HLM.

CONCLUSION

The in vitro results of pH-dependent stability, plasma stability, permeability, PPB, blood partitioning, microsomal stability, CYP phenotyping, and CYP inhibition studies demonstrated that WN could be a better phytochemical for neurological disorders.

Review on anticancerous therapeutic potential of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha, is an important medicinal herb belonging to family Solanaceae. It is widely used in folkloric and Ayurvedic medicines since antiquity. Traditionally, the plant is highly practiced throughout the globe as immunomodulator, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, anti-parkinson, anti-alzheimer, cardio protective, neural and physical health enhancer, neurodefensive, anti-diabetic, aphrodisiac, memory boosting etc. The plant is also effective in combating various types of cancer and other related problems of colon, mammary, lung, prostate, skin, blood, liver and kidney.

AIM OF THIS REVIEW

The present review represents the critical assessment of the literature available on the anticancerous role of W. somnifera. The present study throws light on its diverse chemical compounds and the possible mechanisms of action involved. This review also suggests further research strategies to harness the therapeutic potential of this plant.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present review is the outcome of a systematic search of scientific literature about 'Withania somnifera and its role in cancer prevention'. The scientific databases viz. Google Scholar, Science Direct, Pubmed and Web of Science were searched from 2001 to 2019. Textbooks, magazines and newspapers were also consulted. This review summarizes all the published literature about its therapeutic potential for the treatment of different types of cancers.

RESULTS

W. somnifera has been widely used in traditional and ayurvedic medicines for treatment of numerous problems related to health and vitality. The plant is a reservoir of diverse phytoconstituents like alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, phenolics, nitrogen containing compounds and trace elements. Withanolides are the major alkaloids which renders its anticancer potential due to its highly oxygenated nature. The plant is highly effective in combating various types of cancers viz. colon, mammary, lung, prostate, skin, blood, liver and kidney. Previous studies depict that this plant is more effective against breast cancer followed by colon, lung, prostate and blood cancer. Furthermore, from different clinical studies it has been observed that the active constituents of the plant like withaferin-A, withanolide-D have least toxic effects.

CONCLUSION

The present review confirms the various medicinal values of W. somnifera without any significant side effects. Withaferin-A (WA) and Withanolides are its most promising anticancer compounds that play a major role in apoptosis induction. Keeping in mind the anticancerous potential of this plant, it is suggested that this plant may further be investigated and more clinical studies can be performed.

Withaferin A-A Promising Phytochemical Compound with Multiple Results in Dermatological Diseases

Withaferin A (WFA) was identified as the most active phytocompound of the plant Withania somnifera (WS) and as having multiple therapeutic/ameliorating properties (anticancer, antiangiogenic, anti-invasive, anti-inflammatory, proapoptotic, etc.) in case of various diseases. In drug chemistry, WFA in silico approaches have identified favorite biological targets, stimulating and accelerating research to evaluate its pharmacological activity—numerous anticancer effects manifested in various organs (breast, pancreas, skin, colon, etc.), antivirals, anti-infective, etc., which are not yet sufficiently explored. This paper is a synthesis of the most relevant specialized papers in the field that are focused on the use of WFA in dermatological diseases, describing its mechanism of action while providing, at the same time, details about the results of its testing in in vitro/in vivo studies.

Natural antioxidants in the management of Parkinson's disease: Review of evidence from cell line and animal models

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic progressive neurodegenerative disease. It results from the death of dopaminergic neurons. The pathophysiological mechanisms in idiopathic PD include the production of α-synuclein and mitochondrial respiratory function-affecting complex I, caused by reactive oxygen species. Therefore, the use of natural antioxidants in PD may provide an alternative therapy that prevents oxidative stress and reduces disease progression. In this review, the effects of hydroxytyrosol, Ginkgo biloba, Withania somnifera, curcumin, green tea, and Hypericum perforatum in PD animal and cell line models are compared and discussed. The reviewed antioxidants show evidence of protecting neural cells from oxidative stress in animal and cell models of PD. However, the clinical efficacy of these phytochemicals needs to be optimised and further investigated.

Management of Glioblastoma Multiforme by Phytochemicals: Applications of Nanoparticle-Based Targeted Drug Delivery System

The Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM; grade IV astrocytoma) exhorts tumors of star-shaped glial cells in the brain. It is a fast-growing tumor that spreads to nearby brain regions specifically to cerebral hemispheres in frontal and temporal lobes. The etiology of GBM is unknown, but major risk factors are genetic disorders like neurofibromatosis and schwannomatosis, which develop the tumor in the nervous system. The management of GBM with chemo-radiotherapy leads to resistance, and current drug regimen like Temozolomide (TMZ) is less efficacious. The reasons behind the failure of drugs are due to DNA alkylation in the cell cycle by enzyme DNA guanidase and mitochondrial dysfunction. Naturally occurring bioactive compounds from plants referred as phytochemicals, serve as vital sources for anti-cancer drugs. Some prototypical examples include taxol analogs, vinca alkaloids (vincristine, vinblastine), podophyllotoxin analogs, camptothecin, curcumin, aloe-emodin, quercetin, berberine etc. These phytochemicals often regulate diverse molecular pathways, which are implicated in the growth and progression of cancers. However, the challenges posed by the presence of BBB/BBTB to restrict the passage of these phytochemicals, culminates in their low bioavailability and relative toxicity. In this review, we integrated nanotech as a novel drug delivery system to deliver phytochemicals from traditional medicine to the specific site within the brain for the management of GBM.

Metabolomics of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: Advances and applications

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Withania somnifera L. (Solanaceae), commonly known as Ashwagandha or Indian ginseng, is used in Ayurveda (Indian system of traditional medicine) for vitality, cardio-protection and treating other ailments, such as neurological disorders, gout, and skin diseases.

AIM OF THE REVIEW

We present a critical overview of the information on the metabolomics of W. somnifera and highlight the significance of the technique for use in quality control of medicinal products. We have also pointed out the use of metabolomics to distinguish varieties and to identify best methods of cultivation, collection, as well as extraction.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

The relevant information on medicinal value, phytochemical studies, metabolomics of W. somnifera, and their applications were collected from a rigorous electronic search through scientific databases, including Scopus, PubMed, Web of Science and Google Scholar. Structures of selected metabolites were from the PubChem.

RESULTS

The pharmacological activities of W. somnifera were well documented. Roots are the most important parts of the plant used in Ayurvedic preparations. Stem and leaves also have a rich content of bioactive phytochemicals like steroidal lactones, alkaloids, and phenolic acids. Metabolomic studies revealed that metabolite profiles of W. somnifera depended on plant parts collected and the developmental stage of the plant, besides the season of sample collection and geographical location. The levels of withanolides were variable, depending on the morpho/chemotypes within the species of W. somnifera. Although studies on W. somnifera were initiated several years ago, the complexity of secondary metabolites was not realized due to the lack of adequate and fool-proof technology for phytochemical fingerprinting. Sophistications in chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry facilitated the discovery of several new metabolites. Mutually complementary techniques like LC-MS, GC-MS, HPTLC, and NMR were employed to obtain a comprehensive metabolomic profile. Subsequent data analyses and searches against spectral databases enabled the annotation of signals and dereplication of metabolites in several numbers without isolating them individually.

CONCLUSIONS

The present review provides a critical update of metabolomic data and the diverse application of the technique. The identification of parameters for standardization and quality control of herbal products is essential to facilitate mandatory checks for the purity of formulation. Such studies would enable us to identify the best geographical location of plants and the time of collection. We recommend the use of metabolomic analysis of herbal products based on W. somnifera for quality control as well as the discovery of novel bioactive compounds.

DNA damage by Withanone as a potential cause of liver toxicity observed for herbal products of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)

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The widely used medicinal herb Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) has been recently reported to cause liver damage.

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Withanone is a major metabolite of Ashwagandha.

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Withanone was found to cause DNA damage.

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Withanone forms adducts with amines and thiols.

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Withanone-mediated DNA damage has serious biological consequences.

Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha, is a medicinal plant used for thousands of years for various remedies. Extracts of Ashwagandha contain more than 200 metabolites, with withanone (win) being one of the major ones responsible for many of its medicinal properties. Recently, several cases of liver toxicity resulting from commercially available Ashwagandha products have been reported. The first report of Ashwagandha-related liver damage was from Japan, which was quickly resolved after drug-withdrawal. Later, similar cases of liver toxicity due to Ashwagandha consumption were reported from the USA and Iceland. Towards understanding the liver toxicity of Ashwagandha extracts, we studied win, a representative withanolide having toxicophores or structural alerts that are commonly associated with adverse drug reactions. We found that win can form non-labile adducts with the nucleosides dG, dA, and dC. Using various biochemical assays, we showed that win forms adducts in DNA and interfere with its biological property. Win also forms adducts with amines and this process is reversible. Based on the data presented here we concluded that win is detoxified by GSH but under limiting GSH levels it can cause DNA damage. The work presented here provides a potential mechanism for the reported Ashwagandha-mediated liver damage.

Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is considered a potent adaptogen and anti-stress agent that could have some potential to improve physical performance. This preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA)-based comprehensive systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis aimed to evaluate clinical trials up to 2020 from PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Google Scholar databases regarding the effect of Ashwagandha supplementation on physical performance in healthy individuals. Besides implementing estimation statistics analysis, we developed Bayesian hierarchical models for a pre-specified subgroup meta-analysis on strength/power, cardiorespiratory fitness and fatigue/recovery variables. A total of 13 studies met the requirements of this systematic review, although only 12 were included in the quantitative analysis. A low-to-moderate overall risk of bias of the trials included in this study was detected. All Bayesian hierarchical models converged to a target distribution (Ȓ = 1) for both meta-analytic effect size (μ) and between-study standard deviation (τ). The meta-analytic approaches of the included studies revealed that Ashwagandha supplementation was more efficacious than placebo for improving variables related to physical performance in healthy men and female. In fact, the Bayesian models showed that future interventions might be at least in some way beneficial on the analyzed outcomes considering the 95% credible intervals for the meta-analytic effect size. Several practical applications and future directions are discussed, although more comparable studies are needed in exercise training, and athletic populations are needed to derive a more stable estimate of the true underlying effect.

Lesser Investigated Natural Ingredients for the Management of Obesity

Obesity, an epidemiological disorder, is related to various complications in both the developed and developing world. It epitomizes a crucial risk factor for health, decreasing productivity and life expectancy while increasing health care costs worldwide. Conventional therapies with synthetic drugs or bariatric surgery, associated with numerous side effects, recurrence, and surgical complexity, have been restricted in their use. Lifestyle changes and dietary restrictions are the proven methods for successful weight loss, although maintaining a strict lifestyle is a challenge. Multiple natural products have been explored for weight management with varied efficacy. The current review explores less explored natural herbs, their active constituents, and their mechanisms of action against obesity.

Implications of Withaferin-A for triple-negative breast cancer chemoprevention

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) accounts for about 15 % of all breast cancer cases, and unlike other malignancies, it lacks definite prognostic markers. While improved survival responses have been documented with the ongoing therapeutic approaches, the development of tumor resistance mechanisms to these treatment options pose major challenges in the treatment of TNBC. Notably, naturally occurring medicinal compounds have been studied extensively for their anti-neoplastic activities in cancer models including breast cancer due to their safe and non-deleterious effects. Among various dietary compounds, Withaferin-A (WA), a phytochemical derived from an ayurvedic medicinal plant, Withania somnifera has been characterized to possess anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties. Importantly, multiple studies have shown that WA exhibits promising anti-tumoral activities against in-vitro and in-vivo experimental models of TNBC and that its combination has been documented to enhance chemotherapy efficacy. The current review highlights the mechanistic insights with recent updates including the pharmacokinetics parameters and implications of WA against breast cancer with major emphasis on TNBC.

Critical review of the Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: ethnobotany, pharmacological efficacy, and commercialization significance in Africa

BACKGROUND

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (W. somnifera) is a herb commonly known by its English name as Winter Cherry. Africa is indigenous to many medicinal plants and natural products. However, there is inadequate documentation of medicinal plants, including W. somnifera, in Africa. There is, therefore, a need for a comprehensive compilation of research outcomes of this reviewed plant as used in traditional medicine in different regions of Africa.

METHODOLOGY

Scientific articles and publications were scooped and sourced from high-impact factor journals and filtered with relevant keywords on W. somnifera. Scientific databases, including GBIF, PubMed, NCBI, Google Scholar, Research Gate, Science Direct, SciFinder, and Web of Science, were accessed to identify the most influential articles and recent breakthroughs published on the contexts of ethnography, ethnomedicinal uses, phytochemistry, pharmacology, and commercialization of W. somnifera.

RESULTS

This critical review covers the W. somnifera ethnography, phytochemistry, and ethnomedicinal usage to demonstrate the use of the plant in Africa and elsewhere to prevent or alleviate several pathophysiological conditions, including cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, reproductive impotence, as well as other chronic diseases.

CONCLUSION

W. somnifera is reportedly safe for administration in ethnomedicine as several research outcomes confirmed its safety status. The significance of commercializing this plant in Africa for drug development is herein thoroughly covered to provide the much-needed highlights towards its cultivations economic benefit to Africa.

The Plausible Role of Indian Traditional Medicine in Combating Corona Virus (SARS-CoV 2): A Mini-Review

SARS-CoV 2 is a novel virus strain of Coronavirus, reported in China in late December 2019. Its highly contagious nature in humans has prompted WHO to designate the ongoing pandemic as a Public Health Emergency of International Concern. At this moment, there is no specific treatment and the therapeutic strategies to deal with the infection are only supportive, with prevention aimed at reducing community transmission. A permanent solution for the pandemic, which has brought the world economy to the edge of collapse, is the need of the hour. This situation has brought intense research in traditional systems of medicine. Indian Traditional System, Ayurveda, has a clear concept of the cause and treatment of pandemics. Through this review, information on the potential antiviral traditional medicines along with their immunomodulatory pathways are discussed. We have covered the seven most important Indian traditional plants with antiviral properties: Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (family: Solanaceae), Tinospora cordifolia (Thunb.) Miers (family: Menispermaceae), Phyllanthus emblica L. (family: Euphorbiaceae), Asparagus racemosus L. (family: Liliaceae), Glycyrrhiza glabra L. (family: Fabaceae), Ocimum sanctum L. (family: Lamiaceae) and Azadirachta indica A. Juss (family: Meliaceae) in this review. An attempt is also made to bring into limelight the importance of dietary polyphenol, Quercetin, which is a potential drug candidate in the making against the SARS-CoV2 virus.

Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, study in Healthy Volunteers

BACKGROUND

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a well-established and reputed herb in Ayurvedic medicine. It has been used as a "Rasayana" (rejuvenator), nootropic, and as a powerful natural adaptogen. The herb extract is extensively used for general wellbeing and in specific ailments. However, only a few studies have investigated the safety and tolerability of Ashwagandha in humans. This study evaluated the safety of Ashwagandha root extract consumption in healthy adults.

METHODS

In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, and parallel-group study, 80 healthy participants (40 males, 40 females) were randomized in a 1:1 ratio to receive either Ashwagandha 300 mg or a placebo of the same dosage, twice daily, orally for 8 weeks. The study was conducted at MV Hospital, and King George Medical University, Lucknow, India. The primary safety outcomes considered were laboratory assessment of hematological parameters, serum biochemistry analysis including hepatotoxicity evaluation, and thyroid function parameters. The secondary outcomes of this study were the clinical adverse events and the vital parameters. The within and between the groups' datasets were compared using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the Mann Whitney U test, respectively.

RESULTS

A detailed evaluation of the vital signs such as body weight, body temperature, pulse rate, respiratory rate, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and Body Mass Index (BMI) were conducted for each participant at the baseline and the end of the study for treatment and placebo groups. Similarly, hematological and biochemical parameters were evaluated at the baseline and at the end of study. The outcome did not indicate any untoward effects in any of the treated volunteers. No statistically significant change or abnormality was observed in the considered parameters including thyroid hormonal profile in both the groups. No adverse events were reported by any of the participants in this study.

CONCLUSIONS

Ashwagandha is being consumed since time immemorial following the Ayurvedic medicine practices. Modern science requires evidence of the safety and efficacy of the Ashwagandha extract before mass consumption for various health issues and as a supplement. The present study revealed that the consumption of Ashwagandha root extract for 8 weeks was safe in both males and females volunteers. However, long term study and varying dosage ranges should be investigated in the future.

Powerful Plant Antioxidants: A New Biosustainable Approach to the Production of Rosmarinic Acid

Modern lifestyle factors, such as physical inactivity, obesity, smoking, and exposure to environmental pollution, induce excessive generation of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the body. These by-products of oxygen metabolism play a key role in the development of various human diseases such as cancer, diabetes, heart failure, brain damage, muscle problems, premature aging, eye injuries, and a weakened immune system. Synthetic and natural antioxidants, which act as free radical scavengers, are widely used in the food and beverage industries. The toxicity and carcinogenic effects of some synthetic antioxidants have generated interest in natural alternatives, especially plant-derived polyphenols (e.g., phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes, tannins, coumarins, lignins, lignans, quinines, curcuminoids, chalcones, and essential oil terpenoids). This review focuses on the well-known phenolic antioxidant rosmarinic acid (RA), an ester of caffeic acid and (R)-(+)-3-(3,4-dihydroxyphenyl) lactic acid, describing its wide distribution in thirty-nine plant families and the potential productivity of plant sources. A botanical and phytochemical description is provided of a new rich source of RA, Satureja khuzistanica Jamzad (Lamiaceae). Recently reported approaches to the biotechnological production of RA are summarized, highlighting the establishment of cell suspension cultures of S. khuzistanica as an RA chemical biofactory.

Indian Medicinal Herbs and Formulations for Alzheimer's Disease, from Traditional Knowledge to Scientific Assessment

Cognitive impairment, associated with ageing, stress, hypertension and various neurodegenerative disorders including Parkinson's disease and epilepsy, is a major health issue. The present review focuses on Alzheimer's disease (AD), since it is the most important cause of cognitive impairment. It is characterized by progressive memory loss, language deficits, depression, agitation, mood disturbances and psychosis. Although the hallmarks of AD are cholinergic dysfunction, β-amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangle formation, it is also associated with derangement of other neurotransmitters, elevated levels of advanced glycation end products, oxidative damage, neuroinflammation, genetic and environmental factors. On one hand, this complex etiopathology makes a response to commonly used drugs such as donepezil, rivastigmine, galantamine and memantine less predictable and often unsatisfactory. On the other hand, it supports the use of herbal medicines due to their nonspecific antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activity and specific cholinesterase inhibitory activity. The popularity of herbal medicines is also increasing due to their perceived effectiveness, safety and affordability. In the present article, the experimental and clinical evidence have been reviewed for various Indian herbal medicines such as Centella asiatica, Bacopa monnieri, Curcuma longa, Clitoria ternatea, Withania somnifera, Celastrus paniculatus, Evolvulus alsinoides, Desmodium gangeticum, Eclipta alba, Moringa oleifera and Convolvulus pluricaulis, which have shown potential in cognitive impairment. Some commonly available herbal formulations for memory impairment in India have also been reviewed.

Exploring the Multifaceted Therapeutic Potential of Withaferin A and Its Derivatives

Withaferin A (WA), a manifold studied, C28-steroidal lactone withanolide found in Withania somnifera. Given its unique beneficial effects, it has gathered attention in the era of modern science. Cancer, being considered a "hopeless case and the leading cause of death worldwide, and the available conventional therapies have many lacunae in the form of side effects. The poly pharmaceutical natural compound, WA treatment, displayed attenuation of various cancer hallmarks by altering oxidative stress, promoting apoptosis, and autophagy, inhibiting cell proliferation, reducing angiogenesis, and metastasis progression. The cellular proteins associated with antitumor pathways were also discussed. WA structural modifications attack multiple signal transduction pathways and enhance the therapeutic outcomes in various diseases. Moreover, it has shown validated pharmacological effects against multiple neurodegenerative diseases by inhibiting acetylcholesterinases and butyrylcholinesterases enzyme activity, antidiabetic activity by upregulating adiponectin and preventing the phosphorylation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPARγ), cardioprotective activity by AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) activation and suppressing mitochondrial apoptosis. The current review is an extensive survey of various WA associated disease targets, its pharmacokinetics, synergistic combination, modifications, and biological activities.