Unveiling the Secrets of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal): A Comparative Analysis of Modern Pharmacology and Traditional Ayurvedic Wisdom
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.70066/jahm.v13i1.1534Abstract
Since ancient period Ayurvedic herbs are being used for the benefit of mankind. Their application is well understood through their Ayurvedic properties and ideology. Plants were used as drug as a whole through modifying its dosage forms. Nowadays, selected specific chemical constituents are being extracted and used for many purposes. Current flow of industries towards phytochemicals, pharmacological screening, invitro, in-vivo etc. experiments to explore Ayurvedic herbs extracts is being adopted mostly by botanist, researchers, pharma companies etc. Screening of pharmacological activities has also mushroomed. Ashwagandha- Withania somnifera is widely used plant, thus much explored plant for its numerous pharmacological activities through various models. Therefore, this study was carried to check the relevance of these pharmacological studies with Ayurvedic ideology and to justify drug more precisely on clinical application basis.
References
Ahvazia M, Khalighi-Sigaroodi F, Charkhchiyan MM, Mojab F, Mozaffarian VA, Zakeri H. Introduction of Medicinal Plants Species with the Most Traditional Usage in Alamut Region Iranian Journal of Pharmaceutical Research 2012; 11 (1): 185-194.
Agnivesha, Charaka Samhita, revised by Charaka and Dridhabala with introduction by Vaidhya-Samrata Sri Satya Narayana Sastri with elaborated Vidyotini Hindi Commentary by Pt. Kashinatha Sastri and Dr. Gorakha Natha Chaturvedi, publisher: Chaukhambha Bharti Academy,Varansi- 2016
Vridhha Sushruta, Acharya Sushruta, Sushruta samhita, With commentary Ayurvedatatva-sandipika by Dr. Ambikadatta Shashtri, Reprint, Chaukhambha Sanskrit sansthan, Varanasi, 2017
Chakrapanidutta, Chakradutta,with Hindi commentary ‘Vaidyaprabha’by Dr,Indradev Tripathi, edited by Acharya Ramanatha dwivedi, reprint, Chukhambha Sanskrit Bhavan,Varanasi, 2011
Dr. Zarkhande oza, Dr. Umapati Mishra, editors, Mahendra Bhaugik, Dhanvantari Nighantu (with Hindi Gunakarmatmaka commentary). Guduchyadi Varga, Ver. 272-273, Reprint. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharati Prakashana; p. 85.
Prof. Gyanendra Pandey commentator, Prof. R. R. Dwiwedi editor, Vaidyacharya Shodhala, Sodhala Nighantu (Namasamgraha and Gunasamgraha). Guduchyadi Varga, Ver. 269-270/52, 248/227. 1st edition, 2009. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Krishnadas Academy.
Acharya Madhava, Madhava Dravyaguna, E-book. designed and developed by National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad. Vividhaushadhivarga, Ver. 75. New Delhi: Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS); 2015.
Pd. Harihara prasada Tripathi, editor, Madan, Madanapal Nighantu (with Hindi Commentary entitled Hari). Abhayadi Varga 173-174. 1st edition 2009, Varanasi: Chaukhamba Krishnadas Academy; p. 36.
Prof. P. V. Sharma, Dr. Guruprasad Sharma, editor and translator, Kaiyadeva, Kaiyadeva Nighantu. Aushadhi Varga; Ver. 1044-1046. Reprint 2016. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Orientalia; p. 193.
Prof. K.C. Chunekar, Commentator, Late Dr. G.S. Pandey, editor, Bhavamishra, Bhavaprakasha Nighantu. Guduchyadi Varga, Ver. 189-190, 379-380. Varanasi: Chaukhamba Bharati Academy; 2015.
Narhari pandit, Raja Nighantu, edited by Dr. Satish Chandra Sankhyadhar, Dr. Deepika Sankhyakadhar, Forward by Prof. K.C. Chunekar. Shatahvadi Varga, Ver. 109-113. Reprint edition, Varanasi: Chowkhambha Orientalia, 2017.
Acharya Rajvallabha, Rajvallabha Nighantu, E-book. designed and developed by National Institute of Indian Medical Heritage (NIIMH), Hyderabad. 6th Aushadhashraya Pariccheda, Ver.12. New Delhi: Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS); 2015.
Shri Indradev Tripathi Commentator, Pr. Aryadasakumara Singha, Mahaushadhi Nighantu, Bilvadi Varga, Ver. 41-42. 1st Edition. Varanasi: Chowkhamba Vidyabhavan; 1971; p. 124.
Prof. Priyavrat Sharma, Priya Nighantu. Shatapushpadi Varga, Ver. 110. Reprint, Varanasi: Chaukhambha Surbharti Prakashan; Edition 2004; p. 95.
Shri Bapalal Vaidya, Nighantu Adarsha, Vol-2, Kantakaryadi Varga, Reprint. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy;2016; p. 134-141.
Prof. Priyavrat Sharma, Dravyaguna Vigyana. Vol. 2, Reprint. Varanasi: Chaukhambha Bharati Academy; 2019; p. 763-764.
Anonymous, The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India, Part 1, Vol. 1, 1st Edition, Govt. of India, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Department of AYUSH, New Delhi, 1999.
Sahin k, Orhan C, Akdemir F, Tuzcu M, Gencoglu H, Sahin N, Turk G, Yilmaz I, Ozercan I, Juturu V. Comparative evaluation of the sexual functions and NF-κB and Nrf2 pathways of some aphrodisiac herbal extracts in male rats. BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2016) 16:318.
Gupta A, Singh S. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect of Withania somnifera root on collagen-induced arthritis in rats. Pharm Biol,2014 Mar;52(3):308-20.
Dey A, Chatterjee SS, Kumar V. Analgesic activity of a Withania somnifera extract in stressed mice. Oriental Pharmacy and Experimental Medicine 16(4).
Alam N, Hossain M, Mottalib MA, Sulaiman SA, Gan SH, Khali MI. Methanolic extracts of Withania somnifera leaves, fruits and roots possess antioxidant properties and antibacterial activities. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2012; 12: 175.
Panigrahy S. Evaluation of centrally acting skeletal muscle relaxant activity of aqueous extract of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) roots in albino mice. Int J Basic Clin Pharmacol 2019;8:157-61.
Seepe HA, Ramakadi TG, Lebepe CM, Amoo SO, Nxumalo W. Antifungal Activity of Isolated Compounds from the Leaves of Combretum erythrophyllum (Burch.) Sond. and Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal against Fusarium Pathogens. Molecules 2021, 26, 4732.
Davis L, Kuttan G. Immunomodulatory activity of Withania somnifera. J Ethnopharmacol, 2000 Jul;71(1-2):193-200.
Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Sairam K, Ghosal S. Anxiolytic-antidepressant activity of Withania somnifera glycowithanolides: an experimental study.2000; 7(6),463–469.
Gupta A, Singh S. Evaluation of anti-inflammatory effect of Withania somnifera root on collagen-induced arthritis in rats. Pharm Biol,2014 Mar;52(3):308-20.
Bhattacharya SK, Bhattacharya A, Sairam K, Ghosal S. Anxiolytic-antidepressant activity of Withania somnifera glycowithanolides: an experimental study.2000; 7(6),463–469.
Bhattacharya SK, Muruganandam AV. Adaptogenic activity of Withania somnifera: an experimental study using a rat model of chronic stress. 2003;75(3), 547–555.
Prakash J, Gupta SK, Kochupillai V, Singh N, Gupta YK, Joshi S. Chemopreventive activity of Withania somnifera in experimentally induced fibrosarcoma tumours in Swiss albino mice. Phytotherapy Research. 2001; 15(3), 240–244.
Arivuchelvan A, Murugesan S. Chondroprotective Effect of Withania somnifera in Broilers Treated with High Doses of Enrofloxacinch. Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci. 2020; 9(11): 2091- 2095.
Panda V, Deshmukh A, Hare A, Singh S, Hingorani L, Sudhamani S. Effect of Withania somnifera hydroalcoholic extract and other dietary interventions in improving muscle strength in aging rats Journal of Ayurveda and Integrative Medicine. Vol. 12, Issue 4, October–December 2021, p. 623-632.
Nosalova G, Sivova V, Ray B, Franova S, Ondrejka I, Fleskova D. Antitussive Activity of Withania somnifera and Opioid Receptors. Advs Exp. Medicine, Biology - Neuroscience and Respiration (2015) 7: 19–25.
Giri MA, Bhalke RD, Prakash KV, Kasture SB. Evaluation of Camellia sinensis, Withania somnifera and their Combination for Antioxidant and Antiparkinsonian Effect. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research; Cuddalore. Vol. 12, Issue 8, (Aug 2020): 1093-1099.
Giri MA, Bhalke RD, Prakash KV, Kasture SB. Evaluation of Camellia sinensis, Withania somnifera and their Combination for Antioxidant and Antiparkinsonian Effect. Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences and Research; Cuddalore. Vol. 12, Issue 8, (Aug 2020): 1093-1099.
Kaur P, Mathur S, Sharma M, Tiwari M, Sdvastava KK, Chandra R. A biologically active constituent of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) with antistress activity. Indian Journal of ClinicaI Biochemist. 2001;16(2), 195-198.
Ahumada, F., Aspee, F., Wikman, G., & Hancke, J. (1991). Withania somnifera extract. Its effect on arterial blood pressure in anaesthetized dogs. Phytotherapy Research, 5(3), 111–114.
Singh M, Ramassamy C. In vitro screening of neuroprotective activity of Indian medicinal plant Withania somnifera. Journal of Nutritional Science (2017), Vol. 6, (54), p. 1.
Kumar A, Kalonia H. Effect of Withania somnifera on Sleep-Wake Cycle in Sleep-Disturbed Rats: Possible GABAergic Mechanism. Indian J Pharm Sci. 2008, Nov-Dec; 70(6): 806–810.
Panda S, Kar A. Withania somnifera and Bauhinia purpurea in the regulation of circulating thyroid hormone concentrations in female mice. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 1999; 67(2), 233–239.
Dikasso D, Makonnen E, Debella A, Abebe D, Urga K, Makonnen W, et. Al. Anti-malarial activity of withania somnifera L. Dunal extracts in mice. Ethiop Med J. 2006 Jul;44(3):279-85. PMID: 17447395.
Akhtar F, Azhar MU, Aslam M, Javed K. Nephroprotective Effect of Asgand Powder (Withania somnifera Dunal) on Cisplatin Induced Renal Injury in Rats. Journal of Drug Delivery and Therapeutics. 2020; 10(6-s):22-25.
Al-Hindawi, M. K., Al-Khafaji, S. H., & Abdul-Nabi, M. H. (1992). Anti-granuloma activity of Iraqi Withania somnifera. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 37(2), 113–116.
Gorelick J, Rosenberg R, Smotrich A, Hanus L, Bernstein N. Hypoglycemic activity of withanolides and elicitated Withania somnifera. Phytochemistry, 2015;116, 283–289.
Evanprince S, Sonal C, Rasool M. Evaluation of analgesic, antipyretic and ulcerogenic effect of Withaferin A. International Journal of Integrative Biology. 2009;6(2).
Mohanty I, Singh D, Dinda A, Talwar KK, Joshi S, Gupta S. Mechanisms of Cardioprotective Effect of Withania somnifera in Experimentally Induced Myocardial Infarction. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology; 2004; (94), p. 184–190.
Additional Files
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Vinita Khatri
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
The author(s) will retain copyright and permit the journal right of first publication with the work simultaneously licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution License that permits others to share the work with an acknowledgment of the author and initial publication in this journal.
The entire contents of the JAHM are protected under Indian and international copyrights. The Journal, however, allows free, irrevocable, worldwide, perpetual right of access to, and a license to copy, use, distribute, perform and display the work publicly and to make and distribute works in any online website for any non-commercial purpose, subject to proper attribution of authorship and ownership of the rights. The journal also permits the right to make small numbers of printed copies for their personal non-commercial use under Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 4.0 License.
In case of JAHM does not publish said work, the author(s) will be so notified and all rights assigned hereunder will be given back to the author(s).
All accepted works should not be published anywhere without prior written permission from JAHM. The author(s) hereby declare that they are sole author(s) of the work, that all authors have contributed and agree with the content and conclusions of the work, that the work is original, and does not infringe upon any copyright, propriety, or personal right of any third party, and that no part of it nor any work has been submitted to another journal.
