Abstract
Withania somnifera generally known as Ashwagandha, an ever living shrub cultivated in tropical and subtropical areas of Asia, Africa, and Europe. Ashwagandha root has been used in the traditional Ayurveda and oldest systems of medicine of India as an adaptogen, which is defined as a compound/product that elevates the capacity of a person to resist, adapt, or become flexible in common ways to biological, physical or chemical stressors. Ashwagandha is regarded as a storehouse of various secondary metabolites such as phenolic acids, steroids, alkaloids, flavonoids, terpenoids, saponins and tannins. The most important biologically active chemical constituents of Withania somnifera include alkaloids namely (isopelletierine, anaferine, cuseohygrine, anahygrine, etc.), steroidal lactones (withanolides, withaferins) and saponins. Most mass produced ashwagandha supplements contain extracts from the plant’s root, in spite of the fact that some contain extracts from both the root and leaf. Ashwagandha is one of the most essential herb of Ayurveda utilized as a medicinal herb for its extensive health benefits as it helps to maintain early life, both in mental and physical ways. In the group of ayurvedic herbs, Ashwagandha contains remarkable place as “Sattvic Kapha Rasayana” Herb. Ashwagandha acts as real powerful tonic and consists of several pharmacological properties like antidepressant, chemopreventive, anti-arthritic and anti-inflammatory. Ashwagandha as an effective adaptation strengthens the body’s flexibility to stress. Ashwagandha raise the body’s protection against disease by enhancing the cellular immunity. Growing body of research on Ashwagandha highlights its potential as a beneficial remedy for many health concerns.
Keywords: Withania somnifera, Ashwagandha, Phenolic compounds, Adaptogen, Antidepressant,Aanti-arthritic, Analgesic and Anti-inflammatory properties, Health concerns, Natural herbs
Introduction
Ashwagandha commonly known as Indian ginseng, Ajagandha, Vajigandha, Winter Cherry, Varahkarni, Asgandha. It has been used in Ayurveda medicines for over 3000 years and is cultivated for medicinal purposes. In Ayurveda, it is utilized as anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which are used for the health benefits. KSM-66 is a unique extract and is regarded as the most clinically trialed form of ashwagandha extract. KSM-66 is regarded as a very pure form of Ashwagandha, as it is produced by using only the roots of the plant. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an important constituent in many Ayurveda formations, which are straightaway developing in India and other parts of the world. The products of Withania somnifera are used and retailed as dietary supplements in the form of powder, syrup, infusions, ointments, tablets and capsules.
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Subkingdom: Tracheobionta
- Division: Magnoliophyta
- Class: Magnoliopsida
- Subclass: Asteridae
- Order: Solanales
- Family: Solanaceae
- Genus: Withania
- Species: W. somnifera
- Binomial name: Withania somnifera
Indications
- Stress and Anxiety: Bioactive compound, withanolides in Ashwagandha acts as anti-stressor and has the ability to reduce stress and anxiety.
- Sleep Aid: Ashwagandha improves sleep quality as it increases GABA production, which helps to promote relaxation and calmness. It also increases sleep duration and has a positive effect on the quality of sleep.
- Boosts Energy: Ashwagandha reacts as an energizer and revitalizes the body functions. It also may help to reduce fatigue and boost energy levels.
- Cancer Cells: Due to the main constituents of ashwagandha which comprises alkaloids and steroidal lactones, it helps to fight against cancer cells and has anti-cancerous activity.
- Boost Fertility: Ashwagandha has the ability to balance hormones and plays a crucial role in improving the overall reproductive/sexual health.
- Inflammation: Due to its anti-inflammatory property, it helps to reduce inflammation and protect against various diseases. Ashwagandha also provides instant relief from pain and burning sensations.
- Blood Sugar Levels: Ashwagandha herbs has a hypoglycemic property in which it reduces the blood sugar levels through its effect on insulin secretion and has the ability to absorb glucose from the blood. So, Ashwagandha plays a significant role in alleviating the blood sugar level of the body.
- Heart: Ashwagandha has an antioxidative property, which is found to be extremely effective in treating heart diseases. It also lowers the cholesterol level in the body, therefore helpful in strengthening the heart muscles, reduces heart attack risks, heart blockages, blood clots etc.
- Arthritis: The roots and leaves of Ashwagandha contains withaferin A, which inhibits the production of pain mediators known as prostaglandins. Due to its anti-inflammatory property, it reduces the pain and inflammation related to arthritis.
Contradictions
According to study, Ashwagandha appears to be allowed and tolerated up to 3 months of use. However, the potency and safety of long-drawn Ashwagandha use over long periods for stress, anxiety or sleep is still not known. Furthermore, Ashwagandha may potentially have adverse effects for some people and affect human health. These side effects are as follows:
- Liver Damage: By excess use of Ashwagandha it stimulates a reduction in GSH levels in cells, which leads to cytotoxicity and causes liver damage.
- Thyroid: Ashwagandha may increase the production of the thyroid hormones FT-3 and FT-4, which leads to over stimulation of the organ of hyperthyroid people. Thus, Ashwagandha is known to increase thyroid hormone concentrations.
- Nausea, Stomach upset, Diarrhea: Huge doses of Ashwagandha causes irritation of the membranes inside the stomach. Therefore, it results in gastrointestinal issues such as nausea, stomach upset and diarrhea.
- Pregnancy/Breastfeeding: Use of Ashwagandha during pregnancy/breastfeeding is regarded as unsafe. There is some evidence that it can cause miscarriages. The fact behind it is still unknown. So, it is better to avoid Ashwagandha during pregnancy.
- Blood Pressure: Ashwagandha might interact with some medications including those for diabetes and high blood pressure, medications that decrease the immune system response or there may be a risk of interactions between Ashwagandha and blood pressure medications. People who use blood pressure medicines potentiate the effect of drugs with use of Ashwagandha increasing the risk of severe low blood pressure and are not safe.
- Fever: The use of Ashwagandha may increase the body temperature in some individuals. The evidence behind this is still unknown. So, it is better to avoid Ashwagandha for those whose body temperature has risen.
- Allergies: Ashwagandha belongs to the nightshade family of plants. Nightshade plants sometimes cause allergic reactions in some people. If a person has sensitivity to nightshade, Ashwagandha produces an allergic reaction and are not safe to use.
Case Study
In one of the case studies, three adults who took 500 mg dosage per day of Ashwagandha root and leaf extract for up to 8 weeks leads to increase in blood thyroxine (T4) levels which adversely affect health. A minor clinical trial with 50 people with hidden hypothyroidism symptoms found that Ashwagandha root extract with a dose of 300 mg twice daily for up to 8 weeks, reduced serum thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and raised triiodothyronine (T3) and T4 levels. From these findings, it suggests that ashwagandha might interact with thyroid hormone drugs and other medications.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha has been used for centuries in traditional medicine systems, especially in Ayurveda medicine. Over many years, research has been conducted to investigate the various effects of Ashwagandha, and it showed that it has multiple beneficial reactions/effects on different body systems. Research on Ashwagandha is still going on, and further studies are needed to confirm its potential therapeutic uses. In spite of the fact, it is important to consider the safety of Ashwagandha, especially when used in combination with other medications or supplements. Based on recent research carried out nowadays, it can be observed that Ashwagandha root is a plant raw material with versatile effects. So, it is necessary to update the knowledge on the correct raw material used in regard to the possibility of its use in disease treatment for further effective and safe purposes. It is important to determine the accurate mechanisms of action of Ashwagandha in order to develop more targeted and effective therapeutic strategies.
Way Forward
The present review focuses on the development and opportunities in various biotechnological approaches to execute the global demand of Withania somnifera. The progress in plant biotechnological approaches for the propagation and production of Withania somnifera and its bioactive compounds needs to be considered. In vitro technologies are considered to be promising techniques which can be evaluated. The presence of bioactive compounds such as alkaloids, flavonoids, and phenolic compounds plays an important role in the therapeutic and nutritional properties. Thus, plant part and extraction solvents, with conventional and modern techniques, plays a role in establishing Ashwagandha as a potential nutraceutical product. Further insights into extraction techniques and bioactive standardization with the regulatory framework needs to be considered and the same way analytical techniques can be followed. Other plant biotechnological approaches can be considered for improved plants and its extractions.
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