Organic cultivation of Ashwagandha with improved biomass and high content of active Withanolides: Use of Vermicompost

Abstract

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) has recently been studied extensively for its health-supplementing and therapeutic activities against a variety of ailments. Several independent studies have experimentally demonstrated pharmaceutical potential of its active Withanolides, Withaferin A (Wi-A), Withanone (Wi-N) and Withanolide A (Wil-A). However, to promote its use in herbal industry, an environmentally sustainable cultivation and high yield are warranted. In modern agriculture strategies, there has been indiscriminate use of chemical fertilizers to boost the crop-yield, however the practice largely ignored its adverse effect on the quality of soil and the environment. In view of these, we attempted to recruit Vermicompost (Vcom, 20–100%) as an organic fertilizer of choice during the sowing and growing phases of Ashwagandha plants. We report that (i) pre-soaking of seeds for 12 h in Vermicompost leachate (Vcom-L) and Vermicompost tea (Vcom-T) led to higher germination, (ii) binary combination of pre-soaking of seeds and cultivation in Vcom (up to 80%) resulted in further improvement both in germination and seedling growth, (iii) cultivated plants in the presence of Vcom+Vcom-L showed higher leaf and root mass, earlier onset of flowering and fruiting and (iv) leaves from the Vcom+Vcom-L cultivated plants showed higher level of active Withanolides, Withanone (Wi-N), Withanolide A (Wil-A) and Withaferin A (Wi-A) and showed anticancer activities in cell culture assays. Taken together, we report a simple and inexpensive method for improving the yield and pharmaceutical components of Ashwagandha leaves.

Effect of Vermicompost Application on Bioactive Properties and Antioxidant Potential of MD2 Pineapple Fruits

“…In a study conducted on Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), utilization of vermicompost has been found to be beneficial in improving germination, plant growth, yield, and content of bioactive Withanolides of the Ashwagandha leaves [27]. This is in line with the findings of the current study where the addition of vermicompost was found to significantly elevate the amounts of bioactive compounds in the pineapple fruits, compared to control.…”

Molecular mechanism of anti-SARS-CoV2 activity of Ashwagandha-derived withanolides

“…We have earlier optimized the extraction of two of the major withanolides- Withaferin-A and Withanone using cyclodextrin [60] . As reported earlier, leaves possess highest content of withanolides; whereas stem possesses a relatively high ratio of Withanone [60] , [61] . We prepared leaf and stem extracts [60] , and investigated the content of 8 withanolides.…”

Fractionation of Biomolecules in Withania coagulans Extract for Bioreductive Nanoparticle Synthesis, Antifungal and Biofilm Activity

“…The species W. coagulans is highly acclaimed in the Indian ayurvedic system of medicine, where it is known for its medicinal significance in promoting physical and mental health [26,27]. Its active components include alkaloids, steroidal compounds, lactones, withaferin a [28], withanoloids [29], withanone [30], etc. that act as anti-inflammatory, anticancer, chemoprotective, hepatoprotective, immune modulatory, antifungal, antibacterial, hypocholestroemic, and radical scavenging agents [31].…”