Discover how ashwagandha may impact health; a comprehensive review

Sireesha Badri; David Raju B; Koushik Ch; Ranga Prasad G; Mastan B

doi:10.47957/ijciar.v8i3.208

Authors

Badri. Sireesha Associate Professor, Dr.Samuel George Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tarlupadu Road, Markapur, Prakasam Dt.Pincode-523316
B. David Raju B.Pharmacy. Dr.Samuel George Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tarlupadu Road, Markapur, Prakasamdt. Pincode 523316
Ch. Koushik B.Pharmacy. Dr.Samuel George Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tarlupadu Road, Markapur, Prakasamdt. Pincode 523316
G. Ranga Prasad B.Pharmacy. Dr.Samuel George Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tarlupadu Road, Markapur, Prakasamdt. Pincode 523316
B. Mastan B.Pharmacy. Dr.Samuel George Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences Tarlupadu Road, Markapur, Prakasamdt. Pincode 523316

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47957/ijciar.v8i3.208

Keywords:

Ashwagandha, neurodegenerative, pharmacological activities, antioxidant

Abstract

Ashwagandha has been a vital component of Ayurvedic medicine, functioning as s vitality. Classified as a “Rasayana,” it is recognized for its adaptogenic and rejuvenating effects. Its traditional use in India dates back more than 3000 years. The root of Ashwagandha has been employed for multiple therapeutic purposes, including as a narcotic, aphrodisiac, diuretic, anti-helminthic, tonic, and stimulant. The chemical constituents of Ashwagandha are known for their complex and variable phytochemical composition, which contributes to its wide range of therapeutic properties. Neurodegenerative diseases are not exclusive to humans but are also observed in animals, exhibiting comparable pathological mechanisms and disease progression across species. Canine Cognitive Dysfunction (CCD) is an age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by structural and functional alterations in the brain, leading to progressive memory decline, disorientation, and impaired motor coordination. Its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties have also attracted interest for their potential in managing chronic conditions such as arthritis, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Paul S, Chakraborty S, Anand U, Dey S, Nandy S, Ghorai M, et al. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha): A comprehensive review on ethnopharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, biomedicinal and toxicological aspects. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;143:112175. doi:10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112175. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2021.112175

Zahiruddin S, Basist P, Parveen A, Parveen R, Khan W, Gaurav, et al. Ashwagandha in brain disorders: A review of recent developments. J Ethnopharmacol. 2020;257:112876. doi:10.1016/j.jep.2020.112876. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jep.2020.112876

Mikulska P, Malinowska M, Ignacyk M, Szustowski P, Nowak J, Pesta K, et al. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)-Current research on the health-promoting activities: A narrative review. Pharmaceutics. 2023;15(4):1057. doi:10.3390/pharmaceutics15041057. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics15041057

Kaur A, Singh B, Ohri P, Wang J, Wadhwa R, Kaul SC, et al. Organic cultivation of ashwagandha with improved biomass and high content of active withanolides: Use of vermicompost. PLoS One. 2018;13(4):e0194314. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0194314. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0194314

Mehta V, Chander H, Munshi A. Mechanisms of anti-tumor activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha). Nutr Cancer. 2021;73(6):1–12. doi:10.1080/01635581.2020.1778746. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/01635581.2020.1778746

Dar NJ, Hamid A, Ahmad M. Pharmacologic overview of Withania somnifera, the Indian ginseng. Cell Mol Life Sci. 2015;72(23):4445–60. doi:10.1007/s00018-015-2012-1. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-015-2012-1

Lopresti AL, Smith SJ. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) for the treatment and enhancement of mental and physical conditions: A systematic review of human trials. J Herb Med. 2021;28:100434. doi:10.1016/j.hermed.2021.100434. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2021.100434

Wiciński M, Fajkiel-Madajczyk A, Kurant Z, Liss S, Szyperski P, Szambelan M, et al. Ashwagandha’s multifaceted effects on human health: Impact on vascular endothelium, inflammation, lipid metabolism, and cardiovascular outcomes-A review. Nutrients. 2024;16(15):2481. doi:10.3390/nu16152481. DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16152481

Abdelwahed MT, Hegazy MA, Mohamed EH. Major biochemical constituents of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) extract: A review of chemical analysis. Rev Anal Chem. 2023;42(1):20220037. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1515/revac-2022-0055

Siddiqui S, Ahmed N, Goswami M, Chakrabarty A, Chowdhury G. DNA damage by Withanone as a potential cause of liver toxicity observed for herbal products of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha). Curr Res Toxicol. (year not provided).

Björnsson HK, Björnsson ES, Avula B, Khan IA, Jonasson JG, Ghabril M, et al. Ashwagandha-induced liver injury: A case series from Iceland and the US Drug-Induced Liver Injury Network. Liver Int. 2020;40(4):825–829. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/liv.14393

Philips CA, Valsan A, Theruvath AH, Ravindran R, Oommen TT, Rajesh S, et al. Ashwagandha-induced liver injury-A case series from India and literature review. Hepatol Commun. (year not provided).

Raut AA, Rege NN, Tadvi FM, Solanki PV, Kene KR, Shirolkar SG, et al. Exploratory study to evaluate tolerability, safety, and activity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in healthy volunteers. J Ayurveda Integr Med. (year not provided).

Vaidya VG, Gothwad A, Ganu G, Girme A, Modi SJ, Hingorani L. Clinical safety and tolerability evaluation of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha) root extract in healthy human volunteers. J Ayurveda Integr Med. (year not provided).

Patel SB, Rao NJ, Hingorani LL. Safety assessment of Withania somnifera extract standardized for withaferin A: Acute and sub-acute toxicity study. J Ayurveda Integr Med. (year not provided).

Antony B, Benny M, Kuruvilla BT, Gupta NK, Sebastian A, Jacob S. Acute and sub-chronic toxicity studies of purified Withania somnifera extract in rats. Int J Pharm Pharm Sci. 2018;10(12):1–7. DOI: https://doi.org/10.22159/ijpps.2018v10i12.29493

Langade D, Dawane J, Dhande P. Sub-acute toxicity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in Wistar rats. Toxicol Rep. (year not provided).

Paul S, Chakraborty S, Anand U, Dey S, Nandy S, Ghorai M, et al. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha): A comprehensive review on ethnopharmacology, pharmacotherapeutics, biomedicinal and toxicological aspects. Biomed Pharmacother. (duplicate reference; details same as #1).

Langade D, Dawane J, Dhande P. Sub-acute toxicity of Ashwagandha root extract in Wistar rats. Toxicol Rep. (duplicate of #17).

Singh N, Bhalla M, de Jager P, Gilca M. An overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. (year not provided).

Połumackanycz M, Forencewicz A, Wesołowski M, Viapiana A. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.)—The plant with proven health-promoting properties. Farm Pol. (year not provided).

Kurapati KRV, Atluri VSR, Samikkannu T, Nair MPN. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) reverses β-amyloid1–42-induced toxicity in human neuronal cells: Implications in HIV-associated neurocognitive disorders (HAND). PLoS One. (year not provided).

Sikandan A, Shinomiya T, Nagahara Y. Ashwagandha root extract exerts anti-inflammatory effects in HaCaT cells by inhibiting the MAPK/NF-κB pathways and by regulating cytokines. (Journal name and year not provided).

Gupta M, Kaur G. Withania somnifera as a potential anxiolytic and anti-inflammatory candidate against systemic lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation. Neuromolecular Med. (year not provided).

Grunz-Borgmann E, Mossine V, Fritsche K, Parrish AR. Ashwagandha attenuates TNF-α-and LPS-induced NF-κB activation and CCL2 and CCL5 gene expression in NRK-52E cells. BMC complementary and alternative medicine. 2015 Dec 15;15(1):434. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12906-015-0958-z