Protective effect of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) against neurotoxicity induced by aluminum chloride in rats

Objective: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of ashwagandha extract against aluminum chloride-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into control, aluminumintoxicated rats treated daily with aluminum trichloride(Al Cl3)(100 mg/kg, orally) for 30 d and aluminum-intoxicated animals protected by receiving daily ashwagandha extract(200 mg/kg, orally) one hour before Al Cl3 administration for 30 d. Levels of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. In addition, the activities of Na+, K+, ATPase and acetylcholinesterase were determined in the three studied brain regions. Results: Aluminum increased the levels of lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum and decreased the reduced glutathione level in the hippocampus and striatum. In rats protected with ashwagandha extract, non significant changes were observed in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and reduced glutathione. In addition, ashwagandha extracts prevented the increased activity of acetylcholinesterase and Na+, K+, ATPase induced by Al Cl3 in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. The present findings also showed that the significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-α induced by Al Cl3 in the cortex and hippocampus was prevented by ashwagandha extract. Conclusions: The present results suggest that ashwagandha extract possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against aluminum neurotoxicity. In addition, ashwagandha extract could prevent the decline in cholinergic activity by maintaining normal acetylcholinesterase activity. The later effect could recommend the use of ashwagandha as a memory enhancer.

The Antiviral Efficacy of <i>Withania somnifera</i>(Ashwagandha) against Hepatitis C Virus Activity: <i>In Vitro</i>and <i>in Silico</i>Study

Objective: Evaluation antiviral effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) leaf extract against HCV. Methods: cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay after isolation of lymphocyte cells and treated with Ashwagandha water extract (ASH-WX) (6.25 mg/ml - 100 mg/ml). Assessment of quantitative Real-time PCR, Colony forming assay, TNF-α and molecular docking studies after infection of normal lymphocyte cells with 1 ml (1.5 × 106 HCV) serum then incubated with ASH-WX at concentration 25 mg/ml & 50 mg/ml. Results: MTT assay revealed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in normal lymphocyte proliferation at all concentration’s particularity at 25 mg/ml with SI (6.06) and at 50 mg/ml with (5.8). While TNF-α significantly decreased following ASH-WX treatment compared with control untreated infected cells (p < 0.05). PCR results showed a marked viral load reduction after treatment by ASH-WX at concentration 25 mg/ml to 6.241 × 103 IU/mL. Colony formation assay test revealed colony formation reduction compared to positive untreated control. Molecular docking analysis revealed good prediction of binding between Ashwagandha and NS5B and PKN2 compared to Sovaldi. Conclusion: ASH-WX may be a powerful antiviral against HCV infection.

Phytochemical analysis of Tinospora cordifolia and Withania somnifera and their therapeutic activities with special reference to COVID-19

Various important medicines make use of secondary metabolites that are produced by plants.Medicinal plants,such as Withania somnifera and Tinospora cordifolia,are rich sources of chemically active compounds and are reported to have numerous therapeutic applications.The therapeutic use of medicinal plants is widely mentioned in Ayurveda and has folkloric importance in different parts of the world.The aim of this review is to summarize the phytochemical profiles,folkloric importance,and primary pharmacological activity of W.somnifera and T.cordifolia with emphasis on their action against the novel coronavirus.

引种新资源——印度人参的功能成分定性及睡茄内酯的分离鉴定

目的:对引种新资源植物印度人参(Withania somnifera(L.)Dunal)主要功能成分定性及睡茄内酯的分离鉴定。方法:借助系统预试验初步判断引种资源印度人参可能含有的功能成分类型。采用有机溶剂提取、萃取、柱层析、薄层层析和溶剂结晶等手段相结合,得到一个睡茄内酯单体化合物;采用熔点、IR、UV、MS和NMR等方法进行鉴定。结果:定性分析提示其含有机酸、酚类及黄酮类、强心苷、甾体皂甙、生物碱、内酯、香豆素及苷类化合物等。鉴定1个单体化合物为5,20-二-OH-6,7-环氧-1-羰基-睡茄-2,24-烯。结论:引种新资源印度人参所含主要功能成分与国外报道一致。

Withania somnifera Root Extract Enhances Telomerase Activity in the Human HeLa Cell Line

Aging is a decelerating unidirectional process of life. Shortening of telomeric DNA, the (TTAGGG)n hexanucleotide repeats, which form the caps at the chromosome ends, is implicated to determine the aging process, and more importantly the healthy lifespan itself. Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein having reverse transcriptase activity, arrests telomere loss through addition of the TTAGGG repeats de novo, to the ends of the chromosome. The telomere/telomerase maintenance is an inevitable necessity to delay aging and for a healthy lifespan. Here, we report the potential of full-spectrum, high concentration Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an Ayurvedic medicinal herb, root extract to increase telomerase activity. HeLa cells, when treated with various concentrations of Ashwagandha root extract, showed an increase in telomerase activity measured with the established Telomerase Rapid Amplification Protocol (TRAP) assay. Ashwagandha root extract increased telomerase activity with highest enhancement of ~45% at 10 - 50 μg concentration. Thus, Ashwagandha root extract has the anti-aging inducing potential.

01094 用于AD的潜在植物衍生物-续

西班牙鼠李草叶传统上用于帮助记忆。它的潜在毒性化合物侧柏酮(thujone)的含量极低。由于AD的治疗是长期的，因此鉴于它的侧柏酮含量低许多研究对它在．AD治疗中的作用进行了评价。多项对中到重度AD患者的小规模临床试验结果显示，它对认知功能有正性作用。典型的剂量为3～5mL，每天3次。鼠李草叶可能恶化一些病人的胃食管反流，同时患惊厥的病人应慎用。