Ashwagandha
The Antioxidant, Free Radical Scavenging Withania somnifera
Ashwagandha or Withania somnifera
is one of the first liner herbal remedy with antioxidant, free radical scavenging
properties. These properties play significant role in its enhancing immunity.
Withania somnifera can induce natural antioxidants in rat brain. It can
induce Nitric oxide expression. It was found to be herbal antiradicals and
protected against DNA cleavage.
Iron overdosage liver toxicity is also relieved by this botanical. Lead
toxicity can be regulated with this herb especially lipid peroxidative process.
WS As Antioxidant:
Researchers at Banaras Hindu University, India tested this herb on rats and
found that it increases three natural antioxidants in rat brain - catalase,
superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase. This study validated its
therapeutic effects popular in ayurvedic herbal medicine. This antioxidant
effect partly explains its other effects like anti-aging, anti-stress,
anti-inflammatory and cognition facilitation.
Induction
of nitric oxide synthase expression by Withania somnifera in macrophages:
To elucidate
the mechanism of Withania somnifera, researchers investigated the effect of a methanolic
extract from the root of Withania somnifera (WS) on nitric oxide (NO) production
in J774 macrophages.
These results
demonstrate that WS may induce the synthesis of inducible NOS expression likely
by acting at transcriptional level. The increased NO production by macrophages
could account, at least in part, for the immunostimulant properties of Withania
somnifera.
Iuvone T, Esposito G, Capasso F, Izzo AA.
Department of Experimental Pharmacology, University of Naples Federico II, via
D. Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy.
Herbal Antiradicals & DNA Cleavage Protectors:
Celastrus paniculatus L. (Celastraceae) (CP), Picrorhiza kurroa L. (Scrophulariaceae)
(PK) and Withania somnifera L. (Solanaceae) (WS) were investigated for the free
radical scavenging capacity and the effect on DNA cleavage induced by H2O2 UV-photholysis.
In addition, researchers investigated whether these plant extracts are capable
of reducing the hydrogen peroxide-induced cytotoxicity and DNA damage in human
non-immortalized fibroblasts.
These extracts showed a
dose-dependent free radical scavenging capacity and a protective effect on DNA
cleavage; methanolic extracts from PK was more active than extracts from CP and
WS. These results were confirmed by a significant protective effect on
H2O2-induced cytoxicity and DNA damage in human non-immortalized fibroblasts.
These antioxidant effects of active principle of CP, PK and WS may explain, at least
in part, the reported anti-stress, immunomodulatory, cognition-facilitating,
anti-inflammatory and antiaging effects produced by them in experimental animal
and in clinical situations and may justify the further investigation of their
other beneficial biological properties.
Russo A, Izzo AA, Cardile V, Borrelli F,
Vanella A.
Department of Biochemistry, Medical Chemistry and Molecular Biology, University
of Catania, Italy.
Ashwagandha Useful In Iron Overload Hepatotoxicity:
Drug Research & Development Center, Calcutta, India studied the effect of WS
extracts on iron overload induced hepatotoxicity.
The results
indicate that the reported use of WS in Ayurveda for hepatoprotection against
heavy metals and other environmental toxins, may be due the antioxidant action
of WSG.
Ashwagandha Beneficial In Lead Toxicity:
Chaurasia et al studied
the importance of
Withania somnifera root extract in the regulation of lead toxicity with special
reference to lipid peroxidative process has been investigated in liver and
kidney tissues of male mice. This study suggested the ameliorating role of root extract of W. somnifera in the lead
intoxicated mice could be the result of its antiperoxidative action.
Chaurasia SS,
Panda S,
Kar A.
Thyroid Research Unit, School of Life Sciences, D.A. University, Khandwa Road,
Indore, 452 017, India.
Ashwagandha Preventing Neuroleptic Induced Extrapyramidal Side Effects:
This study investigated the
role
of oxidative stress in the pathophysiology of haloperidol (HP)-induced orofacial
dyskinesia and evaluated the beneficial effect of Withania somnifera (Ws) root
extract in the amelioration of HP-induced vacuous chewing movements (VCMs) and
tongue protrusions in the rat model for TD.
Haloperidol was found to cause these extrapyramidal symptoms.
Coadministration
of Ashwagandha extract significantly reduced the lipid peroxidation and significantly
reversed the decrease in forebrain SOD and catalase levels but had no
significant effect on the HP-induced decrease in forebrain glutathione levels.
These findings strongly suggest that oxidative stress plays a significant role
in HP-induced orofacial dyskinesia and that Ashwagandha could be effective in preventing
neuroleptic-induced extrapyramidal side effects.
Naidu PS,
Singh A,
Kulkarni SK.
Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab
University, Chandigarh-160014, India.
(Click Image)
Ashwagandha
|
Use Ashwagandha For:
- Anxiety, Depression, Panic Disorder.
- As Antioxidant & Free Radical Scavenger.
- As Body building Aid.
- For Weakness, Fatigue, Herbal Rejuvenation, Aphrodisiac.
- As Nervine tonic, calming and antistress agent and adaptogenic herb.
- Visit Ashwagandha related pages on Holistic-Herbalist to get more
information.
- Take one vegiacap twice or thrice a day. Eahc vegicap contains
Ashwagandha (5:1) 500 mg i.e. equivalent to 2.5 gm of crude WS.
Buying Information:
We recommend the interested visitors to get Ashwagandha
supplements from this place.This is a good store, with reputable quality and one of the most
reasonable price. Get a pack of 60 Vegicaps.
BACK TO TOP
Overview Of
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha In Ayurvedic Medicine
Ashwagandha Dosage & Phytochemicals
Ashwagandha Side Effects, Safety & Drug Interactions
Ashwagandha Affecting Brain & Neurochemicals
Ashwagandha Enhancing The Immunity
Ashwagandha With Its Versatile Benefits
The
Adaptogenic Ashwagandha Energizing To Keep Away Stress
Ashwagandha As
Herbal Rejuvenative & Fertility Herb
Ashwagandha
Showing Potential In Cancer Treatment (1)
Withania
somnifera Showing Potential In Cancer Treatment (2)
Ashwagandha
Beneficial In Alzheimer's & Parkinson's Disease
Withania
somnifera As Anti-anxiety & Anti-depressant Herb
Ashwagandha As
Herbal Antioxidant & Free Radical Scavenger
Cardiovascular &
Diabetic Protection With Withania somnifera
Withania
somnifera - About The Plant & Pictures
BACK TO
MEDICINAL HERBS
HERBS
A-P
HERBS
Q-Z
Drug Herb Interactions
Herb Pictures
Herbal Research
Herbs Gen. Info
Herbs For Anxiety
Herbs For Women
Ayurvedic
Library
Herbal Treatment
Holistic
Medicine
Ayurvedic
Medicine
Article Library
Home
Contact Us
About Us
Herbal
Home Remedies
Professional Writing Services
Herbal Consultation
BACK TO TOP
|