scholarly journals Withaferin A – A natural multifaceted therapeutic compound

2021 ◽  
pp. 36-52
Author(s):  
Sangeetha Vinod ◽  
Kalaiselvi Senthil
Keyword(s):  
Withania Somnifera ◽  
Plant Biomass ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Withaferin A ◽  
Drug Candidate ◽  
Global Pandemic ◽  
Medicinal Properties ◽  
Therapeutic Compound ◽  
Steroidal Lactone

COVID 19, which has lead to the death of millions of people, is still spreading worldwide. The development of any new drug after proper trial is much time consuming.  This present global pandemic situation has lead the researchers around the world to run behind various existing antiviral and immunomodulatory natural compounds to overcome this contagious disease.  Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) that is being used in Ayurvedic medicine for several ailments since several years is also said to pocess anti viral activity. Thus many of its metabolites are being studied individually for its efficacy against the dreadful disease. Withaferin A, a steroidal lactone from ashwagandha is one such prime metabolite which beyond acting as an antioxidant or antimicrobial agent, is also said to pocess anti-inflammatory to anti carcinogenic properties.  Thus because of its wide spectrum of medicinal properties it has now become an attractive drug candidate for several preclinical studies. This increase in the demand for withaferin A has chanelled its way towards in vitro propagation of the plant Withania somnifera and trials on various strategies to increase the yield in terms of plant biomass as well as the withaferin content in the plants thus making it a better alternative to field grown plants. Thus this article reviews in depth on the important medicinal properties of withaferin A, its demand in Ayurveda industry and the in vitro strategies being carried out to overcome the demand.

Tamarix articulata (T. articulata) - An Important Halophytic Medicinal Plant with Potential Pharmacological Properties

2019 ◽  
Vol 20 (4) ◽  
pp. 285-292 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abdullah M. Alnuqaydan ◽  
Bilal Rah
Keyword(s):  
Medicinal Plant ◽  
Biological Activities ◽  
Wide Spectrum ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
In Vivo Model ◽  
Drug Candidate ◽  
Phytochemical Analysis ◽  
Pharmacological Properties

Background:Tamarix Articulata (T. articulata), commonly known as Tamarisk or Athal in Arabic region, belongs to the Tamaricaece species. It is an important halophytic medicinal plant and a good source of polyphenolic phytochemical(s). In traditional medicines, T. articulata extract is commonly used, either singly or in combination with other plant extracts against different ailments since ancient times.Methods:Electronic database survey via Pubmed, Google Scholar, Researchgate, Scopus and Science Direct were used to review the scientific inputs until October 2018, by searching appropriate keywords. Literature related to pharmacological activities of T. articulata, Tamarix species, phytochemical analysis of T. articulata, biological activities of T. articulata extracts. All of these terms were used to search the scientific literature associated with T. articulata; the dosage of extract, route of administration, extract type, and in-vitro and in-vivo model.Results:Numerous reports revealed that T. articulata contains a wide spectrum of phytochemical(s), which enables it to have a wide window of biological properties. Owing to the presence of high content of phytochemical compounds like polyphenolics and flavonoids, T. articulata is a potential source of antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative properties. In view of these pharmacological properties, T. articulata could be a potential drug candidate to treat various clinical conditions including cancer in the near future.Conclusion:In this review, the spectrum of phytochemical(s) has been summarized for their pharmacological properties and the mechanisms of action, and the possible potential therapeutic applications of this plant against various diseases discussed.

scholarly journals Withaferin A—A Promising Phytochemical Compound with Multiple Results in Dermatological Diseases

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (9) ◽  
pp. 2407
Author(s):  
Simona Bungau ◽  
Cosmin Mihai Vesa ◽  
Areha Abid ◽  
Tapan Behl ◽  
Delia Mirela Tit ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mechanism Of Action ◽  
In Silico ◽  
Withania Somnifera ◽  
In Vivo Studies ◽  
Withaferin A ◽  
Biological Targets ◽  
Dermatological Diseases ◽  
Anticancer Effects

Withaferin A (WFA) was identified as the most active phytocompound of the plant Withania somnifera (WS) and as having multiple therapeutic/ameliorating properties (anticancer, antiangiogenic, anti-invasive, anti-inflammatory, proapoptotic, etc.) in case of various diseases. In drug chemistry, WFA in silico approaches have identified favorite biological targets, stimulating and accelerating research to evaluate its pharmacological activity—numerous anticancer effects manifested in various organs (breast, pancreas, skin, colon, etc.), antivirals, anti-infective, etc., which are not yet sufficiently explored. This paper is a synthesis of the most relevant specialized papers in the field that are focused on the use of WFA in dermatological diseases, describing its mechanism of action while providing, at the same time, details about the results of its testing in in vitro/in vivo studies.

scholarly journals Analysis Of Anticancer Activity And Its Molecular Interaction Mechanism Of Withanone, An Active Ingredient Of Withania Somnifera Using Molecular Docking

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. 35-41
Author(s):  
Ben Raj ◽  
Madhan Shankar S. R.
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Docking ◽  
Anticancer Activity ◽  
Withania Somnifera ◽  
Interaction Mechanism ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
Withaferin A ◽  
Ligand Interaction ◽  
Anticancer Efficacy

Withania somnifera is an annual evergreen shrub from the Solanaceae family, commonly known as Indian ginseng or Ashwagandha. The plant is mainly found in Asia and Africa regions. In the traditional Indian medicinal system ayurveda, Withania somnifera is used as a rejuvenator and sold in many countries as a dietary supplement. Withanolides are the major phytochemical constituent group found in the Withania somnifera, among which withaferin A and withanone, are considered to be major withanolides, which believed to be involved in majority of biological activity of Withania somnifera. Various studies including both in vitro and in vivo have reported regarding the anticancer potential of Withania somnifera. Along with the anticancer activity of W.somnifera, the anticancer efficacy of one of its major ingredients Withaferin A is also studied previously. This study aimed to analyse the anticancer potential of another major Withanolide present in W. Somnifera, Withanone. The study used Molecular Docking method to find the molecular binding affinity of Withanone towards various cancer proteins. The four major cancer proteins were B-cell lymphoma- extra large (Bcl-xL), Cellular FLICE (c-FLIP), Glutathione Reductase (GR) and Glutathione S- Transferases (GST). The protein structure obtained from the protein data bank and the structure of the molecule obtained from pubchem were modified and prepared for Docking studies with the help of MGL Tools. The protein ligand interaction study was conducted using the software, Autodock vina. The already known anticancer standard, 5-FluoroUracil is used as standard for comparison. Output obtained from the study is visualised using molecular visualiser tool, Pymol. Like the Withaferin A, Withanone also exhibited promising anticancer activity while studied using molecular docking methods.

scholarly journals Biomass Production and Withaferin A Synthesis by Withania somnifera Grown in Aeroponics and Hydroponics

HortScience ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 49 (12) ◽  
pp. 1506-1509 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philipp von Bieberstein ◽  
Ya-ming Xu ◽  
A.A. Leslie Gunatilaka ◽  
Raphael Gruener
Keyword(s):  
Biomass Production ◽  
Plant Material ◽  
High Performance ◽  
Withania Somnifera ◽  
Biologically Active ◽  
Withaferin A ◽  
Optimal Conditions ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Medicinal Properties ◽  
Hydroponically Grown

The medicinal herb Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) was grown in two soilless systems to determine optimal conditions for production of biomass and withaferin A, the major secondary metabolite responsible for its claimed medicinal properties. Withaferin A content was analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). The results show that there was no statistically significant difference (P > 0.05; t test) in biomass production between the plants grown aeroponically and hydroponically. Aeroponically grown plants produced an average of 49.8 g dried aerial plant material (DW) (sd 20.7) per plant, whereas hydroponically grown plants produced an average of 57.6 g DW (sd 16.0). In contrast, withaferin A content was statistically higher in plants grown hydroponically. These plants contained an average of 7.8 mg·g−1 DW (sd 0.3), whereas the aeroponically grown plants contained an average of 5.9 mg·g−1 DW (sd 0.6). These results demonstrate that hydroponic techniques are optimal in reproducibly and efficiently generating withaferin A. These findings may be of importance to the natural products industry in seeking to maximize production of biologically active compounds from medicinal plants.

scholarly journals Withaferin A: From Ancient Remedy to Potential Drug Candidate

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (24) ◽  
pp. 7696
Author(s):  
Tahira Sultana ◽  
Mohammad K. Okla ◽  
Madiha Ahmed ◽  
Nosheen Akhtar ◽  
Abdulrahman Al-Hashimi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Descriptive Analysis ◽  
Cancer Chemoprevention ◽  
Biological Properties ◽  
Withaferin A ◽  
Drug Candidate ◽  
Modern Drug ◽  
Effective Remedy

Withaferin A (WA) is a pivotal withanolide that has conquered a conspicuous place in research, owning to its multidimensional biological properties. It is an abundant constituent in Withania somnifera Dunal. (Ashwagandha, WS) that is one of the prehistoric pivotal remedies in Ayurveda. This article reviews the literature about the pharmacological profile of WA with special emphasis on its anticancer aspect. We reviewed research publications concerning WA through four databases and provided a descriptive analysis of literature without statistical or qualitative analysis. WA has been found as an effective remedy with multifaceted mechanisms and a broad spectrum of pharmacological profiles. It has anticancer, anti-inflammatory, antiherpetic, antifibrotic, antiplatelet, profibrinolytic, immunosuppressive, antipigmentation, antileishmanial, and healing potentials. Evidence for wide pharmacological actions of WA has been established by both in vivo and in vitro studies. Further, the scientific literature accentuates the role of WA harboring a variable therapeutic spectrum for integrative cancer chemoprevention and cure. WA is a modern drug from traditional medicine that is necessary to be advanced to clinical trials for advocating its utility as a commercial drug.

scholarly journals Genetic Transformation using Agrobacterium rhizogenes for the Production of Valuable Anti-Cancer Compound, Withaferin-A from Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

2020 ◽  
Vol 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 1-5
Author(s):  
C.Thilip ◽  
P. Raja ◽  
K.Mohamed Rafi ◽  
K.P.Faizal ◽  
G.Thiagu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Agrobacterium Rhizogenes ◽  
Tamil Nadu ◽  
Withania Somnifera ◽  
Commercial Production ◽  
Withaferin A ◽  
In Vitro Production ◽  
Culture Methods ◽  
Plant Materials ◽  
Anti Cancer

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal is an important ayurvedic medicinal plant and its primary bioactive compound, withaferin-A possess several pharmaceutical and therapeutic values ranging from immunomodulation to anti-cancer property. For commercial production of withaferin-A, field grown plant materials have generally been used but the quality and uniformity in the levels of active constituents are highly affected by genotype and environmental conditions. Plant tissue culture methods are best alternative way to enhance commercial production of withaferin-A. In this present study, we summarize our recent findings on characterization and screening of wild accessions of W. somnifera collected from Tamil Nadu state. Further, an improved Agrobacterium rhizogenes mediated hairy root culture system was developed and this system providing an efficient tool attaining better transformation efficiency and useful for commercial in vitro production of withanolides.

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