From Ancient Herb to Modern Medicine: The Therapeutic Promise of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Human Health — A Review

Abstract

Withania somnifera is an Crucial Rasayana herb and widely considered as Indian ginseng in Ayurveda. In traditional system of Indian medicine, In Ayurvedic preparations, various parts of the plant have been used to treat variety of disorders that affect the human health Ws is a potent neuronal tonic and has been used in animal models to treat a number of neurological conditions, including Parkinson’s disease, epileptic, memory loss and depression It has pharmacological action in almost all systems of the human body. It has also some side effects and contraindication. Number of pharmacological studies have been conducted and a wide range of biological activities have been observed such as anti inflammatory property, hepato-protective activity, infertility activity, anti bacterial activity, immune-modulator activity, Haemopoitic effect, Antbiotic activity, Anti-hyperglycemia, Cardio-tonic activity, Anti-tumour activity, Anti-Carcinogenic activity, Snake venom neurotoxicity were carried out previously that showed its anti-oxidative effect, synergistic effect with other medicinal herbs and its efficiency to increase catecholamines level and regulation of apoptotic processes Extensive studies are needed to prove its therapeutic efficacy in neuronal disorders.