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Cellular and Molecular Targets Underpinning Memory Enhancement by Ashwagandha

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Science of Ashwagandha: Preventive and Therapeutic Potentials

Abstract

The search for therapeutic candidates of memory disorders including gene targets and compounds both synthetic and natural has been a prime arena of neurobiology research. Amongst suggested therapeutic compounds, several herbal products with a long history of use in Ayurveda have gained attention in modern medicine. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) also referred to as “Queen of Ayurveda” is at the zenith of Ayurvedic herbs owing to its tremendous potential to recover memory decline in aging and neurodegenerative pathologies as well as enhance basal memory function of healthy individuals. Despite such promising effects, limited mechanistic evidences have hindered its acceptance in modern medicine. However, technical advances in neuroscience research over the past decade have filled-in some gaps in understanding of molecular and mechanistic biology of Ashwagandha effects. In this chapter, we highlight the studies that have deciphered the cellular and molecular mechanisms of memory enhancing potential of Ashwagandha in various disease models. Cellular targets of Ashwagandha include (i) activation of antioxidant defence system rescuing nerve cells from apoptosis, oxidative stress and DNA damage, (ii) induction of cholinergic system and (iii) up-regulation of memory linked neuroplasticity genes and neuronal arborisation. All of these molecular effects translate into increase in memory. Such multiple-module action has intrigued research to unravel upstream master regulators of Ashwagandha effects on gene expression, cell physiology and behaviour.

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Acknowledgements

The work cited in this article from authors’ laboratory has been supported by grants from the Department of Science and Technology (SR/SO/HS-54/2008) and Department of Biotechnology (BT/PR3996/MED/97/57/2011), Government of India.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. CSIR-Institute of Genomics & Integrative Biology, New Delhi, 110025, India

    Arpita Konar

  2. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory, Brain Research Centre, Department of Zoology, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, 221005, India

    Mahendra K. Thakur

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  1. Arpita Konar
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  2. Mahendra K. Thakur
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Correspondence to Arpita Konar .

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  1. DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    Sunil C. Kaul

  2. DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), Biomedical Research Institute, National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan

    Renu Wadhwa

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Konar, A., Thakur, M.K. (2017). Cellular and Molecular Targets Underpinning Memory Enhancement by Ashwagandha. In: Kaul, S., Wadhwa, R. (eds) Science of Ashwagandha: Preventive and Therapeutic Potentials. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-59192-6_15

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