@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 {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} }