Steroidal Lactones from Withania somnifera, an Ancient Plant for Novel Medicine

Abstract

Withania somnifera, commonly known as Ashwagandha, is an important medicinal plant that has been used in Ayurvedic and indigenous medicine for over 3,000 years. In view of its varied therapeutic potential, it has also been the subject of considerable modern scientific attention. The major chemical constituents of the Withania genus, the withanolides, are a group of naturally occurring C28-steroidal lactone triterpenoids built on an intact or rearranged ergostane framework, in which C-22 and C-26 are appropriately oxidized to form a six-membered lactone ring. In recent years, numerous pharmacological investigations have been carried out into the components of W. somnifera extracts. We present here an overview of the chemical structures of triterpenoid components and their biological activity, focusing on two novel activities, tumor inhibition and antiangiogenic properties of withaferin A and the effects of withanolide A on Alzheimer's disease. The most recent attempts in biotechnological production of withanolides are also discussed.

Inhibitory Potency of Withania Somnifera Extracts Against DPP-4: An in Vitro Evaluation

“…Leaves are simple, ovate, glabrous, 10 cm long, dense beneath and sparse above. Flowers inconspicuous, greenish or lubrid-yellow, in axillary, umbellate cymes; berries small, globose, orange-red when mature, enclosed in the persistent calyx; seed yellow, reniform (Mirjalili et al, 2009). The species' name somnifera means "sleep-bearing" in Latin, indicating that Ashvagandha was considered a sedative (Barnett et al, 2006).…”

Estimation of antioxidant potential of individual components present in complex mixture ofWithania somnifera(Ashwagandha) root fraction by thin-layer chromatography-2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhdrazyl method

“…These medicinal values are mainly attributed to withanolides present in the roots of W. somnifera [18]. Withanolides are biosynthesized by de novo pathway in roots as well as in leaf [19][20][21]. Quantitative determination of withanolides has been carried out by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) [22][23][24][25].…”

Cloning and Functional Characterization of Three Branch Point Oxidosqualene Cyclases from Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

“…Withanolides are synthesized via both mevalonate and 2-Cmethyl-D-erythritol 4-phosphate/1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate pathways, which direct the flux of the isoprene (C5) units for the synthesis of triterpenoid pathway intermediates, which are further committed to withanolide biosynthesis (9). Withanolides, sterols, and a suite of triterpenoids are elaborated via common 30-carbon intermediate 2,3-oxidosqualene involving a highly regio and stereo-specific step carried by a family of genes called OSCs (Fig.…”