@article {1102, title = {Can Ashwagandha Leaf be Replaced with its Root in Therapeutics? A Review through Published Literature}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {15}, year = {2023}, month = {December 2022}, pages = {01-12}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {01}, abstract = {

Introduction: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Linn. Dunal) is an important and frequently used herb in Ayurvedic therapeutics. Its numerous parts, including flowers, leaves and roots, are said to have wide range of health-encouraging properties. Although Ashwagandha{\textquoteright}s root have been used traditionally, it necessitates sacrificing the whole plant. So, there is a need to explore bio-activities in other parts of the plant. Ashwagandha leaf is traditionally used as an ethnomedicine in various regions of India. Leaves of Ashwagandha are least considered in the classical literature and hardly there are references for their therapeutic utilities. Considering this, it has been planned to gather evidences against the therapeutic efficacies of Ashwagandha leaf. Materials and Methods: PubMed indexed articles published till 12th September 2022 were reviewed using the search strategy "Ashwagandha", {\textquotedblleft}Withania somnifera{\textquotedblright}, {\textquotedblleft}Ashwagandha AND leaf{\textquotedblright}, {\textquotedblleft}Withania AND leaf{\textquotedblright}. Results: Searching by using the keyword {\textquotedblleft}Ashwagandha AND leaf{\textquotedblright} yielded 252 results, while the search "Withania AND leaf" resulted in 245 results. Out of these 245/252; the free full texts were only 42 that have been considered in this review. The plant leaf is extensively used in folklore practice for various disease conditions. The leaf is preferred using both internal and external routes. Pre-clinical, clinical studies have been established diversified therapeutic benefits of Ashwagandha leaf. Conclusion: Ashwagandha leaf studies shows numerous bioactive compounds as present in its root. It can become a lead for the anticancer, neurodegenerative, anti- microbial and anti-inflammatory purpose and can be used as widely as its roots.

}, keywords = {Ashwagandha, Ashwagandha leaf, Ethnomedicine, Folklore, Withania somnifera}, doi = {10.5530/097484900286}, author = {Shreya Dhanaji Bhosale and R Galib and P K Prajapati} } @article {537, title = {Autonomic Receptors and Nitric-Oxide Involvements in Mediating Vasorelaxation Effect Induced by Syzygium polyanthum Leaves Extract}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {December 2017}, pages = {s9-s14}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {s9}, abstract = {

Context: Syzygium polyanthum (Wight) Walp leaves are traditionally used by Malays for treating hypertension. Our previous study showed that aqueous extract of S. polyanthum (AESP) and methanolic extract of S. polyanthum (MESP) extracts of S. polyanthum leaves significantly reduced blood pressure of normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR). Aims: This study aimed to investigate their vasorelaxation potential and the possible involvement of autonomic receptors and nitric oxide in mediating their effect. Settings and Design: Both extracts will be tested on isolated thoracic aorta rings of WKY and SHR. The involvement of autonomic receptors and nitric oxide will be elucidated using respective blockers. Materials and Methods: Isolated thoracic aorta rings from WKY and SHR were mounted onto myograph chambers to measure changes in the aorta tension. Increasing concentrations of AESP and MESP, from 1 {\textmu}g/ ml to 10 mg/ml were added onto the myograph chambers. Blockers such as atropine (1 {\textmu}M), phentolamine (1 {\textmu}M), propranolol (1 {\textmu}M), and Nω-nitro-l-arginine methyl ester (100 {\textmu}M) were preincubated before addition of extracts to check for involvement of muscarinic, α- and β-adrenergic receptors (AR) as well as nitric oxide, respectively. Statistical Analysis Used: Two-way ANOVA, followed by post hoc Bonferroni test was used, where P \< 0.05 (two-tailed) was considered statistically significant. Results: AESP and MESP caused significant vasorelaxations through nitric oxide pathway. The former was mediated through α-AR while the latter was mediated by β-adrenergic and muscarinic receptors. Conclusion: Vasorelaxation effect by AESP and MESP involved nitric oxide pathway which is possibly mediated by the autonomic receptors.

}, keywords = {Antihypertensive, Ethnomedicine, Hypertension, Nitric oxide, Syzygium polyanthum, Vasorelaxation}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_69_17}, author = {Azlini Ismail and Wan Amir Nizam Wan Ahmad} }