Objective: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of ashwagandha extract against aluminum chloride-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into control, aluminumintoxicated rats treated daily with al...Objective: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of ashwagandha extract against aluminum chloride-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into control, aluminumintoxicated rats treated daily with aluminum trichloride(Al Cl3)(100 mg/kg, orally) for 30 d and aluminum-intoxicated animals protected by receiving daily ashwagandha extract(200 mg/kg, orally) one hour before Al Cl3 administration for 30 d. Levels of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. In addition, the activities of Na+, K+, ATPase and acetylcholinesterase were determined in the three studied brain regions. Results: Aluminum increased the levels of lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum and decreased the reduced glutathione level in the hippocampus and striatum. In rats protected with ashwagandha extract, non significant changes were observed in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and reduced glutathione. In addition, ashwagandha extracts prevented the increased activity of acetylcholinesterase and Na+, K+, ATPase induced by Al Cl3 in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. The present findings also showed that the significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-α induced by Al Cl3 in the cortex and hippocampus was prevented by ashwagandha extract. Conclusions: The present results suggest that ashwagandha extract possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against aluminum neurotoxicity. In addition, ashwagandha extract could prevent the decline in cholinergic activity by maintaining normal acetylcholinesterase activity. The later effect could recommend the use of ashwagandha as a memory enhancer.展开更多
<b>Objective:</b> Evaluation antiviral effects of <i>Withania somnifera</i> (Ashwagandha) leaf extract against HCV. <b>Methods:</b> cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay a...<b>Objective:</b> Evaluation antiviral effects of <i>Withania somnifera</i> (Ashwagandha) leaf extract against HCV. <b>Methods:</b> cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay after isolation of lymphocyte cells and treated with Ashwagandha water extract (ASH-WX) (6.25 mg/ml - 100 mg/ml). Assessment of quantitative Real-time PCR, Colony forming assay, TNF-<i>α</i> and molecular docking studies after infection of normal lymphocyte cells with 1 ml (1.5 × 10<sup>6</sup> HCV) serum then incubated with ASH-WX at concentration 25 mg/ml & 50 mg/ml. <b>Results:</b> MTT assay revealed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in normal lymphocyte proliferation at all concentration’s particularity at 25 mg/ml with SI (6.06) and at 50 mg/ml with (5.8). While TNF-<i>α</i> significantly decreased following ASH-WX treatment compared with control untreated infected cells (p < 0.05). PCR results showed a marked viral load reduction after treatment by ASH-WX at concentration 25 mg/ml to 6.241 × 10<sup>3</sup> IU/mL. Colony formation assay test revealed colony formation reduction compared to positive untreated control. Molecular docking analysis revealed good prediction of binding between Ashwagandha and NS5B and PKN2 compared to Sovaldi. <b>Conclusion: </b> ASH-WX may be a powerful antiviral against HCV infection.展开更多
Withania somnifera(Ashwagandha)has traditionally been used to alleviate stress,anxiety,and insomnia;how-ever,the mechanisms underlying its sleep-promoting effects remain unclear.This study investigated the sleepenhanc...Withania somnifera(Ashwagandha)has traditionally been used to alleviate stress,anxiety,and insomnia;how-ever,the mechanisms underlying its sleep-promoting effects remain unclear.This study investigated the sleepenhancing activity of Ashwagandha extract(AE)containing in Withaferin A(WFA)and examined the involve-ment of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A(GABAA)and adenosine A1 receptor pathways.Sleep parameters were evaluated using pentobarbital-and caffeine-induced sleep models in mice,electroencephalographic analysis,receptor antagonist assays,intracellular chloride influx measurements in human neuroblastoma cells,and mo-lecular analyses.AE significantly prolonged sleep duration and attenuated caffeine-induced sleep disturbance.The sleep-prolonging effect was attenuated by GABAA receptor antagonists and reduced by an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist.In vitro,AE increased intracellular chloride influx,which was inhibited by bicuculline but not by flumazenil.Electroencephalographic analysis demonstrated reduced wakefulness,prolonged non-rapid eye movement sleep,and increasedδ-wave activity.Chronic AE administration increased brain GABA content and modulated the expression of genes related to GABAergic and serotonergic signaling.WFA partially contributed to the sleep-promoting effects of AE in vivo.These findings indicate that AE promotes sleep through coordinated modulation of GABAA and adenosine A1 receptor-related pathways and support its potential as a natural sleep-promoting agent.展开更多
Aging is a decelerating unidirectional process of life. Shortening of telomeric DNA, the (TTAGGG)<sub>n</sub> hexanucleotide repeats, which form the caps at the chromosome ends, is implicated to determine ...Aging is a decelerating unidirectional process of life. Shortening of telomeric DNA, the (TTAGGG)<sub>n</sub> hexanucleotide repeats, which form the caps at the chromosome ends, is implicated to determine the aging process, and more importantly the healthy lifespan itself. Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein having reverse transcriptase activity, arrests telomere loss through addition of the TTAGGG repeats de novo, to the ends of the chromosome. The telomere/telomerase maintenance is an inevitable necessity to delay aging and for a healthy lifespan. Here, we report the potential of full-spectrum, high concentration Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an Ayurvedic medicinal herb, root extract to increase telomerase activity. HeLa cells, when treated with various concentrations of Ashwagandha root extract, showed an increase in telomerase activity measured with the established Telomerase Rapid Amplification Protocol (TRAP) assay. Ashwagandha root extract increased telomerase activity with highest enhancement of ~45% at 10 - 50 μg concentration. Thus, Ashwagandha root extract has the anti-aging inducing potential.展开更多
Various important medicines make use of secondary metabolites that are produced by plants.Medicinal plants,such as Withania somnifera and Tinospora cordifolia,are rich sources of chemically active compounds and are re...Various important medicines make use of secondary metabolites that are produced by plants.Medicinal plants,such as Withania somnifera and Tinospora cordifolia,are rich sources of chemically active compounds and are reported to have numerous therapeutic applications.The therapeutic use of medicinal plants is widely mentioned in Ayurveda and has folkloric importance in different parts of the world.The aim of this review is to summarize the phytochemical profiles,folkloric importance,and primary pharmacological activity of W.somnifera and T.cordifolia with emphasis on their action against the novel coronavirus.展开更多
文摘Objective: To evaluate the neuroprotective effect of ashwagandha extract against aluminum chloride-induced neurotoxicity in rats. Methods: Rats were divided into control, aluminumintoxicated rats treated daily with aluminum trichloride(Al Cl3)(100 mg/kg, orally) for 30 d and aluminum-intoxicated animals protected by receiving daily ashwagandha extract(200 mg/kg, orally) one hour before Al Cl3 administration for 30 d. Levels of lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide, reduced glutathione and tumor necrosis factor-α were measured in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. In addition, the activities of Na+, K+, ATPase and acetylcholinesterase were determined in the three studied brain regions. Results: Aluminum increased the levels of lipid peroxidation and nitric oxide in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum and decreased the reduced glutathione level in the hippocampus and striatum. In rats protected with ashwagandha extract, non significant changes were observed in lipid peroxidation, nitric oxide and reduced glutathione. In addition, ashwagandha extracts prevented the increased activity of acetylcholinesterase and Na+, K+, ATPase induced by Al Cl3 in the cortex, hippocampus and striatum. The present findings also showed that the significant increase in tumor necrosis factor-α induced by Al Cl3 in the cortex and hippocampus was prevented by ashwagandha extract. Conclusions: The present results suggest that ashwagandha extract possesses antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects against aluminum neurotoxicity. In addition, ashwagandha extract could prevent the decline in cholinergic activity by maintaining normal acetylcholinesterase activity. The later effect could recommend the use of ashwagandha as a memory enhancer.
文摘<b>Objective:</b> Evaluation antiviral effects of <i>Withania somnifera</i> (Ashwagandha) leaf extract against HCV. <b>Methods:</b> cell proliferation was assessed using MTT assay after isolation of lymphocyte cells and treated with Ashwagandha water extract (ASH-WX) (6.25 mg/ml - 100 mg/ml). Assessment of quantitative Real-time PCR, Colony forming assay, TNF-<i>α</i> and molecular docking studies after infection of normal lymphocyte cells with 1 ml (1.5 × 10<sup>6</sup> HCV) serum then incubated with ASH-WX at concentration 25 mg/ml & 50 mg/ml. <b>Results:</b> MTT assay revealed a significant increase (p < 0.001) in normal lymphocyte proliferation at all concentration’s particularity at 25 mg/ml with SI (6.06) and at 50 mg/ml with (5.8). While TNF-<i>α</i> significantly decreased following ASH-WX treatment compared with control untreated infected cells (p < 0.05). PCR results showed a marked viral load reduction after treatment by ASH-WX at concentration 25 mg/ml to 6.241 × 10<sup>3</sup> IU/mL. Colony formation assay test revealed colony formation reduction compared to positive untreated control. Molecular docking analysis revealed good prediction of binding between Ashwagandha and NS5B and PKN2 compared to Sovaldi. <b>Conclusion: </b> ASH-WX may be a powerful antiviral against HCV infection.
基金supported by the Bio International Collaborative Research Program of Chungbuk Technopark,funded by Chungcheong-bukdo Province.
文摘Withania somnifera(Ashwagandha)has traditionally been used to alleviate stress,anxiety,and insomnia;how-ever,the mechanisms underlying its sleep-promoting effects remain unclear.This study investigated the sleepenhancing activity of Ashwagandha extract(AE)containing in Withaferin A(WFA)and examined the involve-ment of gamma-aminobutyric acid type A(GABAA)and adenosine A1 receptor pathways.Sleep parameters were evaluated using pentobarbital-and caffeine-induced sleep models in mice,electroencephalographic analysis,receptor antagonist assays,intracellular chloride influx measurements in human neuroblastoma cells,and mo-lecular analyses.AE significantly prolonged sleep duration and attenuated caffeine-induced sleep disturbance.The sleep-prolonging effect was attenuated by GABAA receptor antagonists and reduced by an adenosine A1 receptor antagonist.In vitro,AE increased intracellular chloride influx,which was inhibited by bicuculline but not by flumazenil.Electroencephalographic analysis demonstrated reduced wakefulness,prolonged non-rapid eye movement sleep,and increasedδ-wave activity.Chronic AE administration increased brain GABA content and modulated the expression of genes related to GABAergic and serotonergic signaling.WFA partially contributed to the sleep-promoting effects of AE in vivo.These findings indicate that AE promotes sleep through coordinated modulation of GABAA and adenosine A1 receptor-related pathways and support its potential as a natural sleep-promoting agent.
文摘Aging is a decelerating unidirectional process of life. Shortening of telomeric DNA, the (TTAGGG)<sub>n</sub> hexanucleotide repeats, which form the caps at the chromosome ends, is implicated to determine the aging process, and more importantly the healthy lifespan itself. Telomerase, a ribonucleoprotein having reverse transcriptase activity, arrests telomere loss through addition of the TTAGGG repeats de novo, to the ends of the chromosome. The telomere/telomerase maintenance is an inevitable necessity to delay aging and for a healthy lifespan. Here, we report the potential of full-spectrum, high concentration Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), an Ayurvedic medicinal herb, root extract to increase telomerase activity. HeLa cells, when treated with various concentrations of Ashwagandha root extract, showed an increase in telomerase activity measured with the established Telomerase Rapid Amplification Protocol (TRAP) assay. Ashwagandha root extract increased telomerase activity with highest enhancement of ~45% at 10 - 50 μg concentration. Thus, Ashwagandha root extract has the anti-aging inducing potential.
文摘Various important medicines make use of secondary metabolites that are produced by plants.Medicinal plants,such as Withania somnifera and Tinospora cordifolia,are rich sources of chemically active compounds and are reported to have numerous therapeutic applications.The therapeutic use of medicinal plants is widely mentioned in Ayurveda and has folkloric importance in different parts of the world.The aim of this review is to summarize the phytochemical profiles,folkloric importance,and primary pharmacological activity of W.somnifera and T.cordifolia with emphasis on their action against the novel coronavirus.
