title: Pharmacologic overview of Withania somnifera, the Indian Ginseng.
abstract: Withania somnifera, also called 'Indian ginseng', is an important medicinal plant of the Indian subcontinent. It is widely used, singly or in combination, with other herbs against many ailments in Indian Systems of Medicine since time immemorial. Withania somnifera contains a spectrum of diverse phytochemicals enabling it to have a broad range of biological implications. In preclinical studies, it has shown anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-stress, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and anti-diabetic properties. Additionally, it has demonstrated the ability to reduce reactive oxygen species, modulate mitochondrial function, regulate apoptosis, and reduce inflammation and enhance endothelial function. In view of these pharmacologic properties, W. somnifera is a potential drug candidate to treat various clinical conditions, particularly related to the nervous system. In this review, we summarize the pharmacologic characteristics and discuss the mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications of the plant and its active constituents.
authors: Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine-CSIR, Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, 190005, India.|Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine-CSIR, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, India.|Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine-CSIR, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors: Nawab John
authors: NJ
authors: Dar
authors: Cancer Pharmacology Division, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine-CSIR, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, India.|Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine-CSIR, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
authors: Abid
authors: A
authors: Hamid
authors: Neuropharmacology Laboratory, Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine-CSIR, Sanat Nagar, Srinagar, 190005, India. mahmad@iiim.res.in.|Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine-CSIR, Canal Road, Jammu, 180001, Jammu and Kashmir, India. mahmad@iiim.res.in.
authors: Muzamil
authors: M
authors: Ahmad
mesh_terms: D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D000818:Animals; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D006801:Humans; D007194:India; D007249:Inflammation / Q000188:drug therapy; D008515:Medicine, Ayurvedic; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents / Q000737:chemistry / Q000494:pharmacology; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000188:drug therapy; D010946:Plants, Medicinal / Q000737:chemistry*; D032341:Withania / Q000737:chemistry*; D054358:Withanolides / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000633:toxicity
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D000894:Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; D000972:Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic; D002316:Cardiotonic Agents; D018696:Neuroprotective Agents; D054358:Withanolides; C009684:withaferin A
keywords: Alzheimer’s disease; Anti-arthritic; Anti-bacterial; Anti-cancer; Anti-diabetic; Anti-inflammatory; Anti-stress; Cardio-protective; Parkinson’s disease; Stroke hypoxia; Withania somnifera