@article {1286, title = {Comprehensive Phytochemical Profiling and Antiphage Activity of Methanolic Extract of Withania somnifera against Lactic Acid Bacteriophages}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {16}, year = {2024}, month = {October 2024}, pages = {741-747}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {741}, abstract = {

Introduction: Bacteriophages present a significant challenge to commercial dairy manufacturing facilities impacting product quality and causing great economic losses to the dairy industry. Despite routine phage control measures, these phages exhibit resistance to conventional methods, including pasteurization. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is a popular medicinal plant traditionally used in Ayurvedic medicine and has various health benefits. Objectives: This study is aimed at conducting a comprehensive phytochemical analysis and evaluating its potential in preventing Lactococcus phage infections in the dairy industry. Materials and Methods: In this study, qualitative and quantitative phytochemical testing, HPTLC fingerprinting, LC-MS and GC-MS of Withania somnifera methanolic root extract were done. The MIC of the methanolic extract against the probiotic host was determined and antiphage activity of the methanolic extract was done against Lactococcus lactis P001 phage at a concentration that did not inhibit the probiotic host. Results: Qualitative tests revealed the presence of secondary metabolites like alkaloids, phenolic compounds, and tannins in the plant extract, while LCMS and GCMS identified various bioactive compounds. Antiphage assay using crude methanolic extracts demonstrated a significant reduction in the phage titre with a log reduction 0.713{\textpm}0.08 after 20 min of exposure and 0.736{\textpm}0.18 after 90 min of exposure without any observed inhibition of the host. Conclusion: These findings offer valuable insights into the extract{\textquoteright}s potential in preventing phage infection within lactic probiotic cultures.

}, keywords = {Antiphage, Ashwagandha, Bacteriophages, Lactococcus lactis}, doi = {10.5530/pres.16.4.86}, author = {Mulay Rutam and Zarine P Bhathena} } @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 {148, title = {Ashwagandha Reverses the Dieldrin-induced Cognitive Impairment by Modulation of Oxidative Stress in Rat Brain}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {February 2019}, pages = {92-97}, type = {Short Communication}, chapter = {92}, abstract = {

Dieldrin (DLD) is an organochlorine pesticide heavily used in agriculture to control pests. Widespread exposures of DLD to human population are likely to contribute in neurological disorders. Withania somnifera (WSF), commonly known as {\textquotedblleft}ashwagandha,{\textquotedblright} is used for its broad spectrum of pharmacological activity. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of WSF (100 mg/kg) on DLD (5 mg/kg)-induced modulation of cognitive function and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats. Cognitive function was measured using step-down latency (SDL) on a continuous avoidance apparatus and transfer latency (TL) on an elevated plus maze. Oxidative stress was estimated by measuring brain malondialdehyde (MDA) level, protein carbonyl (PC), and reduced glutathione (GSH) activity. Significant reduction in both acquisition and retention in SDL was found for the DLD-treated group at the end of the exposure study as compared to the control (P \< 0.001). DLD caused a significant prolongation in both acquisition and retention in TL after 28 days of the treatment as compared to the control (P \< 0.001). Four-week treatment of WSF antagonized the effect of DLD on SDL and TL at the 29th day. DLD produced a statistically significant increase in the brain MDA and PC levels (P \< 0.001), and a significant decrease in the brain GSH activity (P \< 0.001). Treatment with WSF attenuated the effect of DLD on MDA, PC, and GSH activities. Thus, the finding of this study suggests that WSF has potential in reversing cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by toxicants such as DLD in the brain.

}, keywords = {Ashwagandha, Dieldrin, Glutathione, Malondialdehyde, Protein carbonyl}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_77_18}, author = {Tandra Ghosh and Sanvidhan G. Suke and Chandrashekhar Yadav and Rafat Ahmed and Basu Deb Banerjee} } @article {308, title = {Ashwagandha Reverses the Dieldrin-induced Cognitive Impairment by Modulation of Oxidative Stress in Rat Brain}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {February,2019}, pages = {92-97}, type = {Short Communication}, chapter = {92}, abstract = {

Dieldrin (DLD) is an organochlorine pesticide heavily used in agriculture to control pests. Widespread exposures of DLD to human population are likely to contribute in neurological disorders. Withania somnifera (WSF), commonly known as {\textquotedblleft}ashwagandha,{\textquotedblright} is used for its broad spectrum of pharmacological activity. The present study was designed to investigate the effect of WSF (100 mg/kg) on DLD (5 mg/kg)-induced modulation of cognitive function and oxidative stress in male Wistar rats. Cognitive function was measured using step-down latency (SDL) on a continuous avoidance apparatus and transfer latency (TL) on an elevated plus maze. Oxidative stress was estimated by measuring brain malondialdehyde (MDA) level, protein carbonyl (PC), and reduced glutathione (GSH) activity. Significant reduction in both acquisition and retention in SDL was found for the DLD-treated group at the end of the exposure study as compared to the control (P \< 0.001). DLD caused a significant prolongation in both acquisition and retention in TL after 28 days of the treatment as compared to the control (P \< 0.001). Four-week treatment of WSF antagonized the effect of DLD on SDL and TL at the 29th day. DLD produced a statistically significant increase in the brain MDA and PC levels (P \< 0.001), and a significant decrease in the brain GSH activity (P \< 0.001). Treatment with WSF attenuated the effect of DLD on MDA, PC, and GSH activities. Thus, the finding of this study suggests that WSF has potential in reversing cognitive dysfunction and oxidative stress induced by toxicants such as DLD in the brain.

}, keywords = {Ashwagandha, Dieldrin, Glutathione, Malondialdehyde, Protein carbonyl.}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_77_18}, author = {Tandra Ghosh and Sanvidhan G. Suke and Chandrashekhar Yadav and Rafat Ahmed and Basu Deb Banerjee} } @article {315, title = {Physical Endurance Enhancing Capacity of Withania somnifera Root Powder Post-water Extraction in Mice}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {10}, year = {2018}, month = {July 2018}, pages = {250-252}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {250}, abstract = {

Background: Withania somnifera (WS), Indian ginseng/ashwagandha, is a common household plant. Its commercially available aqueous or ethanolic root powder extract containing the active substance withanolides is known to enhance physical endurance (stamina). The potency of crude root powders, especially post-extraction, is unknown. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of crude root powder of WS post-extraction with commercial root preparation in enhancing the physical endurance of mice using forced swim endurance model. Materials and Methods: Male Swiss albino mice, 6{\textendash}8 weeks old with mean (standard deviation) weight of 35.17 (3.36) g, were randomized into three groups of six animals each: control {\textendash} carboxymethyl cellulose 0.5\%, standard {\textendash} commercial root preparation of WS (100 mg/kg), and test {\textendash} crude root powder post-extraction (100 mg/kg). Drugs were administered per oral, once daily, for 7 days. On the 8th day, animals were allowed to swim till exhaustion in a propylene tub of dimension 25 cm radius and 30 cm height, with water level at 15 cm. The end point of swim endurance was when the mice near drowned. Results: There was no significant difference in body weight of mice between groups. One-way ANOVA between groups for drowning time was significant (F[2,15] = 12.771, P = 0.001). Tukey{\textquoteright}s post hoc test was significant for test versus control (P \< 0.001) and standard versus control (P = 0.047). However, test versus standard was not statistically significant (P = 0.069). Conclusion: Hence, we conclude that crude root powder of WS after extraction also possesses physical endurance enhancing property and may be used to enhance the stamina.

}, keywords = {Ashwagandha, Forced swim, Physical endurance, Root extract, Withania somnifera}, doi = {10.4103/pr.pr_153_17}, author = {Jeffrey Pradeep Raj and John Michael D{\textquoteright}Cruz and Tomson Toms and Pradhyumna Muralidharan and Mangala Rao} } @article {599, title = {Allelopathic Effect of Ashwagandha Against the Germination and Radicle Growth of Cicer Arietinum and Triticum Aestivum}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Research}, volume = {4}, year = {2012}, month = {July,2012}, pages = { 166-169}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {166}, abstract = {

Background: Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an important medicinal plant in Indian traditional system of medicine and traditionally has been used for several medicinal purposes in the Indian subcontinent. Objective: The present study was aimed at the evaluation of allelopathic effect of hydroalcoholic extract of ashwagandha against germination and radicle growth of Cicer arietinum and Triticum aestivum seeds. Materials and Methods: The extract at different concentrations was incubated in controlled conditions with the surface sterilized seeds of C. arietinum and T. aestivum and observed periodically for seed germination and radicle growth to assess the allelopathic behavior. Results: The extract mainly at higher concentrations demonstrated promising allelopathic potential by significantly affecting seed germination and radicle elongation of both C. arietinum and T. aestivum in a concentration dependent manner. T. aestivum was found to be more sensitive than C. arietinum. Conclusion: The present study demonstrated remarkable allelopathic potential of ashwagandha against the test seeds. The effect was plausibly due to the alkaloid and withanolide contents of ashwagandha.

}, keywords = {Allelopathic, Ashwagandha, Cicer arietinum, Triticum aestivum, Withanolides}, doi = {10.4103/0974-8490.99082}, author = {Sangita Chandra and Priyanka Chatterjee and Protapaditya Dey and Sanjib Bhattacharya} }