Department of Biochemistry, College of Basic Sciences and Humanities, Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology, Pantnagar-263 145, India.
Withania somnifera is a pantropic native medicinal plant growing all over western and central India. Ashwagandha is characterized by the presence of steroidal lactones (withanolides), alkaloids and flavonoids. Root contains maximum amount of alkaloids - nicotine, sominine, somniferin, somniferinine, withanine, withanonine, pseudo-withanine, tropin, withanolides etc. These compounds show relaxant and antispasmotic effects against several plasmogens on intestine, uterine, bronchial, tracheal, and blood vascular muscles. Roots of the plant show hypotensive, bradycardic, antitumor, respiratory stimulant activities and radiosensitizing effects in animals.
Ashwagandha, Withania somnifera, Withanolides
