Withania somnifera, also called 'Indian ginseng', is an important medicinal plant of the Indian subcontinent. It is widely used, singly or in combination, with other herbs against many ailments in Indian Systems of Medicine since time immemorial. Withania somnifera contains a spectrum of diverse phytochemicals enabling it to have a broad range of biological implications. In preclinical studies, it has shown anti-microbial, anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, anti-stress, neuroprotective, cardioprotective, and anti-diabetic properties. Additionally, it has demonstrated the ability to reduce reactive oxygen species, modulate mitochondrial function, regulate apoptosis, and reduce inflammation and enhance endothelial function. In view of these pharmacologic properties, W. somnifera is a potential drug candidate to treat various clinical conditions, particularly related to the nervous system. In this review, we summarize the pharmacologic characteristics and discuss the mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications of the plant and its active constituents.

Ischemic stroke is caused when blood flow to the brain is hampered, leading to instant deficiency of nutrients and oxygen required for normal brain functioning. Reperfusion can alleviate damage from stroke if performed immediately after the onset of ischemia however the efficacy of reperfusion is tempered by secondary injury mechanisms. This multifarious sequence of events leads to the commencement of deleterious cycles of inflammation, oxidant stress and apoptosis that finally culminate in delayed death of neuronal cells even when the brain is effectively reperfused. Wealth of data from clinical as well as experimental studies points to a prominent role of inflammation in secondary injury. In this review we will discuss, in detail, the cellular and molecular mediators of inflammation and their possible therapeutic targets in both experimental and clinical forms of stroke.

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