Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha, WS) or Indian ginseng possesses multiple pharmacological properties which are mainly attributed to the active constituents, withanolides. Despite its extensive usage as a memory enhancer and a nerve tonic, few attempts have been made to ascertain its usage in the management of Parkinson's disease. In the present study, we investigated the neuroameliorative effects of WS in a rotenone (ROT) model of Drosophila melanogaster (Oregon-K). Initially, we ascertained the ability of WSenriched diet (0-0.05 %) to protect against ROT induced lethality and locomotor phenotype in adult male flies. Further, employing a co-exposure paradigm, we investigated the propensity of WS to offset ROT-induced oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunctions and neurotoxicity. WS conferred significant protection against ROT-induced lethality, while the survivor flies exhibited improved locomotor phenotype. Biochemical investigations revealed that ROT-induced oxidative stress was significantly diminished by WS enrichment. WS caused significant elevation in the levels of reduced GSH/ non-protein thiols. Furthermore, the altered activity levels of succinate dehydrogenase, MTT, membrane bound enzymes viz., NADH-cytochrome-c reductase and succinatecytochrome-c reductase were markedly restored to normalcy. Interestingly, ROT-induced perturbations in cholinergic function and depletion in dopamine levels were normalized by WS. Taken together these data suggests that the neuromodulatory effect of WS against ROT-induced neurotoxicity is probably mediated via suppression of oxidative stress and its potential to attenuate mitochondrial dysfunctions. Our further studies aim to understand the underlying neuroprotective mechanisms of WS and withanolides employing neuronal cell models.

Male reproductive dysfunctions and infertility are the common consequences of overt diabetes. Available evidence support oxidative stress to be the underlying mechanism for the manifestation of testicular complications during diabetes. In the present study, we assessed the attenuating effects of Withania somnifera root extract (WS) on diabetes-induced testicular oxidative disturbances in prepubertal rats. Four-week-old prepubertal rats were assigned into nondiabetic control, streptozotocin (STZ)-treated and STZ+WS supplemented (500 mg/kg b.w./d, oral, 15 days) groups. Experimental diabetes was induced by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ (90 mg/kg b.w). Terminally, all animals were killed, and markers of oxidative stress were determined in the testis cytosol and mitochondrial fraction. Severe hyperglycemia and regression in testis size were apparent in diabetic rats. A decline in antioxidant defenses with subsequent elevation in the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation was discernible in testis cytosol and mitochondria of diabetic prepubertal rats, which was significantly reversed by WS. However, there was partial restoration of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase, lactate dehydrogenase, and 3-beta hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase activities in testis of diabetic prepubertal rats administered with WS. Taken together, data accrued suggest the potential of WS to improve diabetes-induced testicular dysfunctions in prepubertal rats.

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Objective: The aspiration of the current research involves employing various concentrations of polymer and filler to develop indomethacin sustained release (SR) matrix tablets. The objective of this research work is to reduce dosing frequency thereby increasing patients compliance and enhanced therapeutic activity.Methods: Polymers such as Almond gum (AG), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), and starch at different concentrations were used for formulating SR polymeric matrix tablets. Evaluation of pre-compression and post-compression parameters was done for both granules and formulated tablets.Results: Results obtained from pre-compression parameters and post-compression parameters suggested that all the parameters are within the prescribed limits, demonstrating that formulated granules had shown better flow properties. The morphological characteristics of the developed tablet were observed by employing scanning electron microscope where the surface of the tablet was found to be smooth from the in vitro dissolution study, combination of AG (30 mg) with PVP (30 mg), and starch used as a filler has sustained the release of drug up to 10 h.Conclusion: Therefore, developed polymeric matrix tablet exhibited enhanced potency over a conventional tablet by exhibiting an excellent dissolution profile for a period of 10 h.