Withania Somnifera Linn as Herbal Source of Diverse Pharmacological Potential - A Comprehensive Review
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Ashwagandha, Withanoloides, Churna, Anti-Inflammatory, Cardioprotective, Hemopoietic
Abstract
Ashwagandha, also known as Indian winter cherry, belonging to the Withania Somnifera Linn. (Solanaceae) family, (commonly available as Churna). Africa, the Mediterranean, and India are all home to this species. It is 30-50cm high and mainly found in the drier parts of India. Since it raises haemoglobin (red blood count) and hair melanin. Withania Somnifera is known as "Rasayana," which means "strong rejuvenator" in Ayurvedic jargon. In ethnomedicine, it is a well-known health food and herbal tonic that is used to treat cardiovascular diseases. It can be used as a single herb or as part of polyherbal or herbo-mineral formulations for humans. It is traditionally used to treat various diseases such as inflammation, asthma, dyspepsia, hypertension, rheumatism, tumor, anxiety, hemopoietic, antimicrobial, depression, immunomodulation, antiulcer, hepatoprotective activities, Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease, rejuvenating properties and syphilis. It has wide variety of chemical constituents such as withanoloides, flavonoid, saponins, glycosides, alkaloids, tannins, steroids have been studied. Despite the fact that previous review articles on this plant have been written, this review article is provided to bring together all of the most recent knowledge on its phytochemical and pharmacological activities.
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References
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