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Pharmacologic overview of Withania somnifera, the Indian Ginseng

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Abstract

Withania somnifera, also called ‘Indian ginseng’, is an important medicinal plant of the Indian subcontinent. It is widely used, singly or in combination, with other herbs against many ailments in Indian Systems of Medicine since time immemorial. Withania somnifera contains a spectrum of diverse phytochemicals enabling it to have a broad range of biological implications. In preclinical studies, it has shown anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-stress, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and anti-diabetic properties. Additionally, it has demonstrated the ability to reduce reactive oxygen species, modulate mitochondrial function, regulate apoptosis, and reduce inflammation and enhance endothelial function. In view of these pharmacologic properties, W. somnifera is a potential drug candidate to treat various clinical conditions, particularly related to the nervous system. In this review, we summarize the pharmacologic characteristics and discuss the mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications of the plant and its active constituents.

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Abbreviations

TNF-α:

Tumor necrosis factor-α

IL-1β:

Interleukin-1β

NFκ-β:

Nuclear factor kappa-β

NO:

Nitric oxide

ROS:

Reactive oxygen species

PARP-1:

Poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase-1

pMCAO:

Permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion

GFAP:

Glial fibrillary acidic protein

6OHDA:

6-hydroxydopamine

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Acknowledgments

Dr. Ahmad’s work was partly supported by Ramalingaswamy Fellowship of Department of Biotechnology and financial assistance (MLP6009) as well as logistic support from Council for Scientific and Industrial Research.   Mr. Dar is thankful to University Grants Commission, India for Ph.D. research fellowship. The contents do not represent any governmental views of India. (Institutional publication number of this article is IIIM/1823/2015).

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  1. Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine-CSIR, Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, 190005, India

    Nawab John Dar & Muzamil Ahmad

  2. Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine-CSIR, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, India

    Nawab John Dar & Abid Hamid

  3. Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine-CSIR, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, Jammu and Kashmir, India

    Nawab John Dar, Abid Hamid & Muzamil Ahmad

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Dar, N.J., Hamid, A. & Ahmad, M. Pharmacologic overview of Withania somnifera, the Indian Ginseng. Cell. Mol. Life Sci. 72, 4445–4460 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-015-2012-1

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