Protective effect of Withania somnifera root powder on lipid peroxidation and antioxidant status in gentamicin-induced nephrotoxic rats

Protective impacts of Withania somnifera leaf extract from Taif area against diclofenac induced hepato-renal toxicity: role of antioxidants, inflammation, apoptosis, and anti-oxidative stress biomarkers

Current study examined the boosting impacts of Withania somnifera leaf extract from Taif area (high-altitude area) against hepatic and renal toxicity induced by diclofenac in experimental rats. Withania is highly grown on Taif area as environmental herb with multiple functions. Diclofenac is non-steroidal medication used for treatment of pain but over dose has severe side effects. Thirty-two adult Wistar rats of male type were subdivided into 4 groups. The control rats (group 1) received saline. Second group received diclofenac (50 mg/kg BW intraperitoneally) at days 4 and 5. Third group received W. somnifera leaf extract (250 mg /kg body weight) for 6 days. The fourth protective group, received W. somnifera leaf extract plus diclofenac for 6 days as shown in groups 2 and 3. Diclofenac significantly increased serum AST, ALT, and decreased albumin and total proteins levels. It also increased serum concentrations of uric acid and creatinine. In addition, it increased lipid peroxidation, and decreased reduced glutathione and superoxide dismutase levels. Diclofenac increased inflammatory cytokines secretion and up-regulated hepatic oxidative stress genes (HO-1; hemoxygenase-1 and Nrf2nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and renal inflammatory transcriptional markers (TGF-β1; transforming growth factor-beta1 and COX-2; cycloxygenas-2). In parallel, hepatic caspase-3 expression was up-regulated as an apoptotic marker, while Bcl2; (B-cell lymphoma 2) mRNA expression was down regulated as anti-apoptotic marker. W. somnifera pre-administration in the protective group ameliorated the altered parameters induced by diclofenac. In conclusion, W. somnifera leaf extract has the potential to antagonize side effects of diclofenac by regulating the pathways of oxidative stress, inflammation, and apoptosis/antiapoptosis.

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha) for the possible therapeutics and clinical management of SARS-CoV-2 infection: Plant-based drug discovery and targeted therapy

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has killed huge populations throughout the world and acts as a high-risk factor for elderly and young immune-suppressed patients. There is a critical need to build up secure, reliable, and efficient drugs against to the infection of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) virus. Bioactive compounds of Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal] may implicate as herbal medicine for the management and treatment of patients infected by SARS-CoV-2 infection. The aim of the current work is to update the knowledge of SARS-CoV-2 infection and information about the implication of various compounds of medicinal plant Withania somnifera with minimum side effects on the patients' organs. The herbal medicine Withania somnifera has an excellent antiviral activity that could be implicated in the management and treatment of flu and flu-like diseases connected with SARS-CoV-2. The analysis was performed by systematically re-evaluating the published articles related to the infection of SARS-CoV-2 and the herbal medicine Withania somnifera. In the current review, we have provided the important information and data of various bioactive compounds of Withania somnifera such as Withanoside V, Withanone, Somniferine, and some other compounds, which can possibly help in the management and treatment of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Withania somnifera has proved its potential for maintaining immune homeostasis of the body, inflammation regulation, pro-inflammatory cytokines suppression, protection of multiple organs, anti-viral, anti-stress, and anti-hypertensive properties. Withanoside V has the potential to inhibit the main proteases (Mpro) of SARS-CoV-2. At present, synthetic adjuvant vaccines are used against COVID-19. Available information showed the antiviral activity in Withanoside V of Withania somnifera, which may explore as herbal medicine against to SARS-CoV-2 infection after standardization of parameters of drug development and formulation in near future.

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: Opportunity for Clinical Repurposing in COVID-19 Management

As the COVID-19 pandemic is progressing, the therapeutic gaps in conventional management have highlighted the need for the integration of traditional knowledge systems with modern medicine. Ayurvedic medicines, especially Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, WS), may be beneficial in the management of COVID-19. WS is a widely prescribed Ayurvedic botanical known as an immunomodulatory, antiviral, anti-inflammatory, and adaptogenic agent. The chemical profile and pharmacological activities of WS have been extensively reported. Several clinical studies have reported its safety for use in humans. This review presents a research synthesis of in silico, in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies on Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS) and discusses its potential for prophylaxis and management of COVID-19. We have collated the data from studies on WS that focused on viral infections (HIV, HSV, H1N1 influenza, etc.) and noncommunicable diseases (hypertension, diabetes, cancer, etc.). The experimental literature indicates that WS has the potential for 1) maintaining immune homeostasis, 2) regulating inflammation, 3) suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines, 4) organ protection (nervous system, heart, lung, liver, and kidney), and 5) anti-stress, antihypertensive, and antidiabetic activities. Using these trends, the review presents a triangulation of Ayurveda wisdom, pharmacological properties, and COVID-19 pathophysiology ranging from viral entry to end-stage acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). The review proposes WS as a potential therapeutic adjuvant for various stages of COVID-19 management. WS may also have beneficial effects on comorbidities associated with the COVID-19. However, systematic studies are needed to realize the potential of WS for improving clinical outcome of patients with COVID-19.

Ashwagandha attenuates TNF-α- and LPS-induced NF-κB activation and CCL2 and CCL5 gene expression in NRK-52E cells

Background

The aging kidney is marked by a chronic inflammation, which may exacerbate the progression of renal dysfunction, as well as increase the susceptibility to acute injury. The identification of strategies to alleviate inflammation may have translational impact to attenuate kidney disease.

Methods

We tested the potential of ashwaganda, sutherlandia and elderberry on tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced chemokine (CCL2 and CCL5) expression in vitro.

Results

Elderberry water-soluble extract (WSE) was pro-inflammatory, while sutherlandia WSE only partially attenuated the TNF-α-induced changes in CCL5. However, ashwaganda WSE completely prevented TNF-α-induced increases in CCL5, while attenuating the increase in CCL2 expression and NF-κB activation. The same pattern of ashwagandha protection was seen using LPS as the pro-inflammatory stimuli.

Conclusions

Taken together, these results demonstrate the ashwaganda WSE as a valid candidate for evaluation of therapeutic potential for the treatment of chronic renal dysfunction.

Combinations of Ashwagandha leaf extracts protect brain-derived cells against oxidative stress and induce differentiation

BACKGROUND

Ashwagandha, a traditional Indian herb, has been known for its variety of therapeutic activities. We earlier demonstrated anticancer activities in the alcoholic and water extracts of the leaves that were mediated by activation of tumor suppressor functions and oxidative stress in cancer cells. Low doses of these extracts were shown to possess neuroprotective activities in vitro and in vivo assays.

METHODOLOGY/PRINCIPAL FINDINGS

We used cultured glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cells to examine the effect of extracts (alcoholic and water) as well as their bioactive components for neuroprotective activities against oxidative stress. Various biochemical and imaging assays on the marker proteins of glial and neuronal cells were performed along with their survival profiles in control, stressed and recovered conditions. We found that the extracts and one of the purified components, withanone, when used at a low dose, protected the glial and neuronal cells from oxidative as well as glutamate insult, and induced their differentiation per se. Furthermore, the combinations of extracts and active component were highly potent endorsing the therapeutic merit of the combinational approach.

CONCLUSION

Ashwagandha leaf derived bioactive compounds have neuroprotective potential and may serve as supplement for brain health.

Herbo-mineral supplementation in men with idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia : A double blind randomized placebo-controlled trial

Introduction:

There is insufficient scientific data on the medical management options for idiopathic oligoasthenoteratospermia (iOATs). We conducted a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of the herbo-mineral supplement, Addyzoa^®, in infertile men with iOATs. We also evaluated its effect on semen reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and DNA fragmentation index.

Materials and Methods:

Fifty infertile men with iOATS were recruited into an institutional ethics committee approved protocol from April to August 2009. Randomization was done using numbered, identical containers. Baseline semen samples were evaluated for routine parameters, ROS level, DNA fragmentation index and TAC. Drug/placebo was administered at a dose of two capsules twice a day for 3 months. All parameters were reassessed at 3 months and clinical side-effects were recorded. The study was registered with the Clinical Trials Registry of India and is available at www.ctri.in as study protocol number CTRI/2009/091/000551.

Results:

Forty-four subjects completed the study, 21 in the drug arm and 23 in the placebo arm. There was no difference in baseline parameters between the two groups. Men in the drug group had significant improvement in mean total motility from 23.2 ± 17.3% to 33.4 ± 23.2% (P-value: 0.008) and mean progressive (Type A+B) motility from 15.7 ± 12.6% to 22.6 ± 18.0% (P-value: 0.024). ROS, TAC and DFI did not change significantly in either group and did not show any correlation with other semen parameters.

Conclusions:

Treatment with Addyzoa resulted in a significant improvement in total and progressive motility in the semen of men with iOATs after 3 months of therapy. There was no change in the sperm concentration, ROS, DFI or TAC levels.

Protective role of Phyllantus niruri extract in doxorubicin-induced myocardial toxicity in rats

Objectives:

To investigate the effect of the aqueous extract of Phyllanthus niruri (Aq.E.PN) against doxorubicin (Dox)-induced myocardial toxicity in rats.

Materials and Methods:

Cardiotoxicity was produced by Dox administration (15 mg/kg for 2 weeks). Aq.E PN (200 mg/kg, orally) was administered as pretreatment for 2 weeks alternated with Dox for the next 2 weeks. The general observations, mortality, histopathology, biomarker enzymes like lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) and alkaline phosphatase, diagnostic enzyme markers like aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and antioxidants such as glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were monitored after 3 weeks of the last dose.

Results:

Pretreatment with the Aq.E.PN significantly (P < 0.01) protected the myocardium from the toxic effects of Dox by reducing the elevated level of biomarker and diagnostic enzymes like LDH, CPK, AST and ALT to the normal levels. Aq.E PN increased the GSH, SOD and CAT levels and decreased the MDA levels in cardiac tissue. Administration of Dox caused cardiomyopathy associated with an antioxidant deficiency.

Conclusion:

These results suggest a cardioprotective effect of P. niruri due to its antioxidant properties.