Efficacy of Withania somnifera chemotypes NMITLI – 101R, 118R and Withaferin A against experimental visceral leishmaniasis

The immunoprophylactic and therapeutic potentials of root extracts of Withania somnifera chemotypes (NMITLI‐118, NMITLI‐101) and pure withanolide–withaferin A was investigated against Leishmania donovani infection in hamsters. The naive animals, fed orally with immunostimulatory doses of chemotypes 101R, 118R (10 and 3 mg/kg) and withaferin A (9 and 3 mg/kg) for five consecutive days and challenged with Leishmania parasites on day 6, were euthanized on days 30 and 45 p.c. for the assessment of parasite clearance, real‐time analysis of mRNAs of Th1/Th2 cytokines (IFN‐γ, IL‐12, TNF‐α, iNOS/IL‐4, IL‐10 and TGF‐β), NO production, reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, lymphocyte transformation test and antibody responses. By day 45 p.c., there was a significant increase in the mRNA expression of iNOS, IFN‐γ, IL‐12 and TNF‐α but decrease in IL‐4, IL‐10 and TGF‐β, an enhanced Leishmania‐specific LTT response as well as ROS, NO and antileishmanial IgG2 levels in 101R‐treated hamsters followed by 118R‐ and withaferin A‐treated ones, respectively. When these chemotypes were given to L. donovani‐infected hamsters at different doses, there was moderate therapeutic efficacy of chemotype 101R (~50%) at 30 mg/kg × 5 followed by the other two. The results established that the 101R is the most potential chemotype and can be evaluated for combination therapy along with available antileishmanials.     

Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress-Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety,Depression, and Insomnia

Background Withania somnifera (WS), also known as Ashwagandha, is commonly used in Ayurveda and other traditional medicine systems. WS has seen an increase in worldwide usage due to its reputation as an adaptogen. This popularity has elicited increased scientific study of its biological effects, including a potential application for neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative disorders.Objective This review aims to provide a comprehensive summary of preclinical and clinical studies examining the neuropsychiatric effects of WS, specifically its application in stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia.Methods Reports of human trials and animal studies of WS were collected primarily from the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases.Results WS root and leaf extracts exhibited noteworthy anti-stress and anti-anxiety activity in animal and human studies. WS also improved symptoms of depression and insomnia, though fewer studies investigated these applications. WS may alleviate these conditions predominantly through modulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal and sympathetic-adrenal medullary axes, as well as through GABAergic and serotonergic pathways. While some studies link specific withanolide components to its neuropsychiatric benefits, there is evidence for the presence of additional yet unidentified active compounds in WS.Conclusion While benefits were seen in the reviewed studies, significant variability in the WS extracts examined prevents a consensus on the optimum WS preparation or dosage for treating neuropsychiatric conditions. WS generally appears safe for human use; however, it will be important to investigate potential herb-drug interactions involving WS if used alongside pharmaceutical interventions. Further elucidation of active compounds of WS is also needed.     

Tissue cultures of Withania somnifera: Morphogenesis and withanolide synthesis

Tissue cultures were established from axillary meristems of the plant Withania somnifera. Growth hormones influenced the morphogenetic responses of the cultures. The explants gave multiple shoots in Murashige and Skoog's (MS) medium supplemented with benzyladenine (BA), rooting in MS+coconut milk (CM) (10%) and callus formation in MS+2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (2.0 ppm). Callus cultures failed to synthesize withanolides. Multiple shoot cultures synthesized significant levels of withanolides and their concentrations varied with different growth hormones.     

Withania somnifera extract. Its effect on arterial blood pressure in anaesthetized dogs

The effect of Withania somnifera extract on arterial blood pressure in ‘normotensive’ pentobarbital anaesthetized dogs was studied. Also a possible effect of Withania somnifera on blood pressure in dogs administered either with adrenaline and acetylcholine was investigated. Thirty mongrel dogs of both sexes were distributed randomly in three series of ten animals each. Each animal was adminstered at intervals of 4 min with either a neurotransmitter, saline or the extract until a cycle of 32 minutes was completed. It is concluded that the Withania somnifera extract induced a significant decrease (p < 0.05) in the arterial and diastolic blood pressure in ‘normotensive’ pentobarbital anaesthetized dogs. Withania also significantly prevented the hypotensive effect of acetyltholine and increased the hypertensive effect of adrenaline.     

Effect of Withania somnifera root extract on the sexual behaviour of male rats

Aim: To determine the effect of a methanolic extract of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal roots on sexual competence of male rats. Methods: Male rats were orally administered 3000 mg'kg~1.day~1 of root extract for 7 days. Their sexual behaviour was evaluated 7 days prior to treatment, day 3 and 7 of treatment, and day 7, 14 and 30 posttreatment by pairing each male with a receptive female. Results: The root extract induced a marked impairment in libido, sexual performance, sexual vigour, and penile erectile dysfunction. These effects were partly reversible on cessation of treatment. These antimasculine effects are not due to changes in testosterone levels or toxicity but may be attributed to hyperprolactinemic, GABAergic, serotonergic or sedative activities of the extract. Conclusion: Use of W. somnifera roots may be detrimental to male sexual competence. (Asian J Androl 2002 Dec;4: 295-298)     

Comparative evaluation of the effects of Withania somnifera with pentoxifylline on the sperm parameters in idiopathic male infertility: A triple‐blind randomised clinical trial

In this triple‐blind randomised clinical trial, we compared the effects of Withania somnifera and pentoxifylline on the sperm parameters in idiopathic male infertility. One hundred infertile male patients were randomly allocated into either W. somnifera or pentoxifylline groups. Patients in the herbal group received six capsules containing 5 g/daily of W. somnifera root, and subjects in the pentoxifylline group received six capsules containing 800 mg/daily of pentoxifylline and placebo for 90 days. Sperm parameters were analysed at the beginning and end of the study. W. somnifera increased mean sperm count (12.5%) and progressive motility (21.42%) and improved sperm morphology (25.56%) compared to the baseline (p = .04, p = .001 and p = .000 respectively). Moreover, pentoxifylline increased mean semen volume (16.46%), progressive motility (25.97%) and improved sperm morphology (13.28%) versus the baseline (p = .02, p = .003 and p = .01 respectively). Intergroup comparison showed no significant differences between the two groups regarding semen volume (p = .11), sperm count (p = .09), morphology (p = .12) and progressive motility (p = .77) after treatment. No major complication was reported in either of the two groups. W. somnifera, a traditional medicine remedy, improves sperms parameters in idiopathic male infertility without causing adverse effects. Therefore, this medication can be considered to be an alternative to pentoxifylline in this regard.     

Ameliorative effect of Withania coagulans on dyslipidemia and oxidative stress in nicotinamide–streptozotocin induced diabetes mellitus

Present study aims to evaluate the effect of Withania coagulans fruit (aqWC) on diabetic-dyslipidemia and antioxidant/oxidant status in DM. Diabetic animals were treated with aqWC at a dose of 250 mg/kg bw for 30 days. Lipid profile, MDA, GSH, SOD, FRAP, HMG CoA reductase and acetyl CoA carboxylase activities were estimated in blood and tissues. Total cholesterol, TAG and LDL were significantly elevated whereas HDL was decreased in diabetic animals (p < 0.05), simultaneously the lipid content and HMG CoA reductase activities were also increased, whereas acetyl CoA carboxylase activity decreased significantly in tissues of diabetic animals. MDA was increased and antioxidants such as SOD, GSH and FRAP decreased significantly in DM (p < 0.05). Oral administration of aqWC to diabetic animals produced significant improvement in serum lipid profile and tissue lipid content. Activity of HMG CoA reductase decreased, whereas acetyl CoA carboxylase activity increased significantly in tissues after aqWC treatment. Administration of aqWC to diabetic animals also showed significant increase in antioxidant levels i.e., GSH, SOD, FRAP and reduced level of MDA in blood and tissue homogenates as compared to diabetic controls (p < 0.05). These results suggest that aqWC treatment improved lipid profile and decreased oxidative stress in diabetes mellitus.     

In vivo anti-tussive activity and structural features of a polysaccharide fraction from water extracted Withania somnifera

Aim of the study

Anti-tussive drugs are amongst the most widely used medications worldwide; however no new class of drugs has been introduced into the market for many years. The present study aims at evaluating the structural features and in vivo anti-tussive activity of a polysaccharide fraction from water extracted Withania somnifera.

Materials and methods

Herein, we have analyzed water extracted material of Withania somnifera using chemical, chromatographic, spectroscopic and biological methods.

Results

A polysaccharide fraction (F3) containing arabinosyl, galactosyl and galacturonosyl residues were obtained by anion exchange chromatography of the water extracted material. This polymer is branched and contained (1,5)-/(1,3,5)-linked arabinofuranosyl, (1,3)-/(1,6)-/(1,3,6)-linked galactopyranosyl residues together with small amount of terminal rhamnopyranosyl and terminal arabinofuranosyl residues. Peroral administration of this pectic arabinogalactan in a dose of 50 mg kg⁻¹ body weight (b.w.) decreased the number of cough efforts induced by citric acid in guinea pigs like that of codeine.

Conclusions

This study provides a scientific basis for the past and present ethnomedical uses of this plant.     

Molecular insight into the immune up-regulatory properties of the leaf extract of Ashwagandha and identification of Th1 immunostimulatory chemical entity

Withania somnifera, commonly called Ashwagandha in the Indian traditional system of medicine has been reported for several pharmacological activities. This study demonstrates, for the first time, the potential role of the chemically standardized leaf extract of W. somnifera (WSL) and it's identified component in activating immune system. WSL enhanced Th1 cytokine IFN-γ expression in Con A primed splenocytes in vitro. When given orally for 2 weeks to BALB/c mice immunized with emulsion of OVA in Freund's adjuvant (OVA-FCA), it caused dose-dependent proliferation of T cells and improved their ability to secrete IL-2 and IFN-γ, but moderately down-regulated Th2 cytokine IL-4. Flow cytometric analysis of lymphocyte surface markers of T cells CD3⁺, CD4⁺ and CD8⁺, and B cells CD19⁺ indicated prominent enhancement in proliferation and differentiation of lymphocytes. Further, the effect of WSL in immunized mice elicited up-regulation of β-integrins LFA (CD11a) and Mac-1 (CD11b) in splenocytes. Co-stimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 that are important secondary signals for the activation of immune system elicited remarkable enhanced expression when observed in spleen-derived macrophages isolated from WSL treated mice. Chemical standardization of WSL suggested that the withanolide 2,3 dihydro-3-sulphonile withanone is a major constituent of WSL responsible for skewing to Th1 immune polarization by stimulating the expression of IFN-γ and B cell switch over to secrete IgG2a while simultaneously enhancing the expression of co-stimulatory molecules and integrins. These studies demonstrate the possible usefulness of WSL and its major constituent WSL-2 as Th1 immune adjuvants for chronic infectious ailments where patients suffer from weakened Th1 immunity.     

Chemotypical variations in Withania somnifera lead to differentially modulated immune response in BALB/c mice

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is a plant with known ethnomedicinal properties and its use in Ayurvedic medicine in India is well documented. The present investigation reports on immunomodulatory efficacy of aqueous-ethanol extracts of roots of three selected Withania somnifera chemotypes designated as NMITLI 101R, NMITLI 118R and NMITLI 128R. Each chemotype was administered 10-100 mg/kg orally to BALB/c mice once daily for 14 days. The immunomodulatory consequences were recorded by determining the humoral immune response with the help of hemagglutination, plaque forming cell assay and cellular response by measuring delayed type hypersensitivity reaction. Additionally, other immune parameters such as proliferation of T and B cells, intracellular and secreted Th1 and Th2 cytokines along with modulation in ROS production by peritoneal macrophages were monitored after feeding with lower doses (3-30 mg/kg/day) of these three chemotypes individually. NMITLI 101R incited both humoral and cellular immune response in terms of higher number of antibody producing cells and enhanced foot pad swelling at the 10 mg dose as also dose dependent B and T cell proliferations. Levels of intracellular and secreted cytokines post-NMITLI 101R treatment illustrated generation of mixed Th1/Th2 response that remained more polarized towards Th1. This chemotype also generated maximum reactive oxygen species. NMITLI 118R provoked comparatively reduced immune response in all humoral and cellular parameters at lower doses but induced highly polarized Th1 cytokine response. In contrast, NMITLI 128R led to enhanced antibody production with minimal cellular response demonstrating marginally Th2 dominance at a lower dose. Taken together, it may therefore be concluded that there were distinct modulation in the immune response exhibited by the three chemotypes of Withania somnifera and NMITLI 101R appeared to possess a better immunostimulatory activity than the other chemotypes at lower doses.