Novel Methods to Generate Active Ingredients-Enriched Ashwagandha Leaves and Extracts

Abstract

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is an Ayurvedic herb commonly used in world-renowned traditional Indian home medicine system. Roots of Ashwagandha have been traditionally known to possess a variety of therapeutic and health promoting potentials that have not been sufficiently supported by laboratory studies. Nevertheless, most, if not all, of the preventive and therapeutic potentials have been assigned to its bioactive components, steroidal alkaloids and lactones. In contrast to the traditional use of roots, we have been exploring bioactivities in leaves of Ashwagandha. Here, we report that the leaves possess higher content of active Withanolides, Withaferin-A (Wi-A) and Withanone (Wi-N), as compared to the roots. We also established, for the first time, hydroponic cultivation of Ashwagandha and investigated the effect of various cultivation conditions on the content of Wi-A and Wi-N by chemical analysis and bioassays. We report that the Withanone/Withaferin A-rich leaves could be obtained by manipulating light condition during hydroponic cultivation. Furthermore, we recruited cyclodextrins to prepare extracts with desired ratio of Wi-N and Wi-A. Hydroponically grown Ashwagandha and its extracts with high ratio of withanolides are valuable for cancer treatment.

Organic cultivation of Ashwagandha with improved biomass and high content of active Withanolides: Use of Vermicompost

“…We focused on Wi-A and Wi-N that have been reported to possess considerable anticancer activity. Whereas Wi-A has been shown to cause strong cytotoxicity to cancer and normal cells, Wi-N was mild but safe for normal cells [ 5 – 7 , 12 , 13 , 25 ]. We have earlier reported the protocols to obtain Withanolides in water extract using alpha, beta and gamma cyclodextrins.…”

“…We have earlier reported the protocols to obtain Withanolides in water extract using alpha, beta and gamma cyclodextrins. Beta-cyclodextrin (β-CD) extracts showed higher concentration of both Wi-N and Wi-A [ 12 ]. Wi-N, being hydrophobic, remained insoluble and was found in the pellet.…”

“…The filtrate was called β-CD extract. The precipitate was dissolved in DMSO as described [ 12 ] and called β-DM extract. CD and DM extracts obtained from dry leaf powder (10% by weight) were considered 100% and added to the cell culture medium in a range of 0.05~1%, corresponding to 50 μg—1 mg/ml of dried leaf powder.…”

“…Although all parts of the plant including stem, leaves, roots, flowers, seeds and bark possess these constituents; they particularly accumulate in roots and leaves [ 11 ]. Recently, it has been shown that as compared to the roots, leaves possess higher content of Withaferin A and Withanone [ 12 ].…”

Anticancer Herbs for Improving the Quality of Life

“…Besides the severe side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, these therapies also develop gradual resistance of cancer cells against the treatment [7]. According to WHO report, more the 80% of population in the developing countries primarily employ traditional medicine for various diseases, Herbal medicine has been known for their efficacy, their affordability, availability and safety [8]. Many plants are loaded with chemo protective agents and play important role in controlling cancer symptoms and treatment.…”