Cited by 123Phytochemicals and Medicinal PlantsMedicinal Plants and NeuroprotectionPharmacological Effects of Medicinal Plants

Neurodegenerative diseases and Withania somnifera (L.): An update

Dar, Nawab John, Ahmad, Muzamil·2020·Journal of Ethnopharmacology

Abstract

Ethnopharmacological relevance Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal also known as 'Ashwaghanda' in Sanskrit and as 'Indian Winter Cherry' in english. is an important medicinal herb in India. It is widely used in Indian systems of medicine as an adaptogen, nerve tonic, anti-stress, memory enhancer and against cognitive deficits, insomnia, anxiety, infectious diseases, infertility, rheumatoid arthritis and gout over thousands of years. Its formulations are mainly used in Unani and Ayurvedic system of medicine. It is a remarkable centuries old herbal Rasayana used to treat neuronal ailments and is known as ''Sattvic Kapha Rasayana.Aim of the study To review neuroprotective properties of Withania somnifera (L.)extract as well as its active constituents in neurodegenerative diseases and other neurological ailments.Materials and methods The sources of information used in present article include Indian system of Medicine reports on the use of natural products, Medicinal books, research articles and scientific databases like PubMed, Google Scholar, Web of Science, Science-Direct, SciFinder, ACS Publications and Wiley Online Library.Results Research reports based largely on preclinical studies as well as few clinical trials have highlighted the neuroprotective role of Ashwagandha against many neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's, Huntington's and Parkinson's disease. The protective effects of Ashwagandha were accomplished by restoring mitochondrial and endothelial function, mitigation of apoptosis, inflammation and oxidative stress mechanisms.Conclusion In this review, we recapitulated neuroprotective properties of Ashwagandha extracts and/or its major constituents and discussed their mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications. The pre-clinical as well as clinical studies suggest the use of Withania somnifera (L.) against neurodegenerative disease. However, extensive studies are warranted to validate the use of extract or its single constituents for its clinical use.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jep.2020.112769

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Authors
Dar, N. J., & Ahmad, M.
Affiliations
Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IN)
Venue
Journal of Ethnopharmacology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2020-06
Volume
256
Pages
112769
ISSN
0378-8741 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W3013795312
Cited by
123
References
88
Citations by year
2026: 18 · 2025: 27 · 2024: 21 · 2023: 30 · 2022: 16 · 2021: 10 · 2020: 1
FWCI
2.92
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Ethnopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
  • Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, India
  • Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Science and Technology, India (MLP6009)
Topics
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Complementary and alternative medicine › Medicinal Plants and Neuroprotection
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Pharmacological Effects of Medicinal Plants
Keywords
Withania somnifera, neurodegenerative diseases, neuroprotection, Alzheimer's disease, Huntington's disease, Parkinson's disease, Rasayana, Ayurveda, mitochondrial function, apoptosis, oxidative stress, neuroinflammation
MeSH terms
Animals, Humans, India, Plants, Medicinal, Neuroprotective Agents, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Plant Preparations, Withania

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