Botanical, Chemical and Pharmacological Review of Withania somnifera (Indian Ginseng): an Ayurvedic Medicinal Plant

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is a well known and important medicinal plant widely used in several indigenous systems of medicine for the treatment of various ailments, viz. asthma, bronchitis, inflammatory diseases, ulcer and stomach problems. Steroidal lactones have been reported as the major phytoconstituents of this species. Different pharmacological experiments in a number of in vitro and in vivo models have convincingly demonstrated the ability of W. somnifera to exhibit anti-inflammatory, anti-oxidative, antimicrobial, anti-anxiety, aphrodisiac, immunomodulation, anti-diabettic, anti-ulcer, anticancer, central nervous system depressant and hepatoprotective activities, lending support to the rationale behind several of its traditional uses. The species is also used to treat some neurological disorders like Parkinson's and Alzheimer's. The molecules such as withaferinA, withanolide A and withanolide D isolated from this plant are potential bioactive molecules. Due to the remarkable biological activity of W. somnifera and its constituents, it will be appropriate to develop them as a medicine and make them more potent by chemical modifications and biotransformation. This review has covered botany, chemistry and pharmacology of the plant besides its traditional and folkloric uses.