Abstract
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae), also known as ashwagandha, is an important medicinal plant that is widely used as a home remedy for several diseases in the Indian subcontinent and other parts of the world. W. somnifera is a dietary supplement composed of various nutrients, polyphenols and alkaloids that have free radical scavenging capacity, as well as other chemical constituents that possess anti-inflammatory, antitumor, anti-stress, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, and rejuvenating properties. The mechanism of action for these properties are not fully understood. W. somnifera also appears to influence the endocrine, cardiopulmonary and central nervous systems. Toxicity studies reveal that W. somnifera can be used without side effects. The findings presented in this review are very encouraging and indicate that this herb should be studied more extensively to confirm these results and to reveal other potential therapeutic effects.
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Abbreviations
- ACP:
-
Phosphatase
- ADP:
-
Adenosine diphosphate
- ALP:
-
Alkaline phosphatase
- ALT:
-
Alanine transaminase
- AST:
-
Aspartate transaminase
- ATP:
-
Adenosine triphosphate
- CAT:
-
Catalase
- DM:
-
Diabetes mellitus
- ESR:
-
Erythrocyte sedimentation
- G6P:
-
Glucose-6-phosphatase
- GABA:
-
Gamma aminobutyric acid
- GAG:
-
Glycosaminoglycan
- GERL:
-
Golgi-endoplasmic reticulum-lysosomes
- GlcS:
-
Glucosamine sulphate
- GPx:
-
Glutathione peroxidase
- GSH:
-
Glutathione
- GST:
-
Glutathione-S-transferase
- HP:
-
Hydroperoxide
- HPA:
-
Hypothalamic pituitary adrenal
- LD50 :
-
Lethal dose 50%
- LPO:
-
Lipid peroxidation
- MDA:
-
Malondialdihyde
- MI:
-
Myocardial infarction
- MIR:
-
Myocardial ischemia–reperfusion injury
- NO:
-
Nitric oxide
- SOD:
-
Superoxide dismutase
- STDs:
-
Sexually transmitted diseases
- T3 :
-
Triiodothyronine
- T4 :
-
Thyroxine
- TBARS:
-
Thiobarbituric acid reactive substances
- WSG:
-
W. somnifera glycowithanolides
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Acknowledgments
This study was financially supported by a Universiti Sains Malaysia RU grant (grant no. 1001/PPSP/8120201 and 1001/PPSP/815058). The authors would like to acknowledge the Department of Botany, Rajshahi University, Bangladesh and the Department of Pharmacology, School of Medical Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia for facilitating for this study.
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Alam, N., Hossain, M., Khalil, M.I. et al. Recent advances in elucidating the biological properties of Withania somnifera and its potential role in health benefits. Phytochem Rev 11, 97–112 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-011-9221-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11101-011-9221-5