title: Combinations of Ashwagandha leaf extracts protect brain-derived cells against oxidative stress and induce differentiation.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Ashwagandha, a traditional Indian herb, has been known for its variety of therapeutic activities. We earlier demonstrated anticancer activities in the alcoholic and water extracts of the leaves that were mediated by activation of tumor suppressor functions and oxidative stress in cancer cells. Low doses of these extracts were shown to possess neuroprotective activities in vitro and in vivo assays.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We used cultured glioblastoma and neuroblastoma cells to examine the effect of extracts (alcoholic and water) as well as their bioactive components for neuroprotective activities against oxidative stress. Various biochemical and imaging assays on the marker proteins of glial and neuronal cells were performed along with their survival profiles in control, stressed and recovered conditions. We found that the extracts and one of the purified components, withanone, when used at a low dose, protected the glial and neuronal cells from oxidative as well as glutamate insult, and induced their differentiation per se. Furthermore, the combinations of extracts and active component were highly potent endorsing the therapeutic merit of the combinational approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ashwagandha leaf derived bioactive compounds have neuroprotective potential and may serve as supplement for brain health.
authors: Cell Proliferation Research Group and DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8562, Japan.
authors: Navjot
authors: N
authors: Shah
authors: Cell Proliferation Research Group and DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8562, Japan.
authors: Rumani
authors: R
authors: Singh
authors: Cell Proliferation Research Group and DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8562, Japan.
authors: Upasana
authors: U
authors: Sarangi
authors: Cell Proliferation Research Group and DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8562, Japan.
authors: Nishant
authors: N
authors: Saxena
authors: Cell Proliferation Research Group and DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8562, Japan.
authors: Anupama
authors: A
authors: Chaudhary
authors: Department of Biotechnology, Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar 143005, India.
authors: Gurcharan
authors: G
authors: Kaur
authors: Cell Proliferation Research Group and DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8562, Japan.
authors: Sunil C
authors: SC
authors: Kaul
authors: Cell Proliferation Research Group and DBT-AIST International Laboratory for Advanced Biomedicine (DAILAB), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 305-8562, Japan.
authors: Renu
authors: R
authors: Wadhwa
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000187:drug effects; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000187:drug effects*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D002470:Cell Survival / Q000187:drug effects; D018698:Glutamic Acid / Q000633:toxicity; D006801:Humans; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide / Q000633:toxicity; D008856:Microscopy, Fluorescence; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018384:Oxidative Stress / Q000187:drug effects*; D010936:Plant Extracts / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D018515:Plant Leaves / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D032341:Withania / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D010936:Plant Extracts; D018698:Glutamic Acid; D006861:Hydrogen Peroxide; C030693:Ashwagandha