@article {2575, title = {Antioxidant and Neuroprotective Potential of Ashwagandha In Aluminum-Induced Toxicity}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {December 2025}, pages = {336-341}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {336}, abstract = {

Introduction : Aluminium is the most abundant metal and the third most common element in the Earth{\textquoteright}s crust, following oxygen and silicon. Exposure to aluminium is associated with oxidative damage, primarily due to its ability to disrupt redox balance, generate reactive oxygen species, and impair antioxidant defense mechanisms.This study was aimed to find the potential role of ashwagandha on aluminium induced brain toxicity. Methods: In the present study rats were grouped into 4 groups of 6 rats in each. Brain tissue was removed and processed for biochemical and histopathological analysis. Results: In the present study, administration of aluminium to rats resulted in a significant decrease in tissue GSH levels and a corresponding increase in MDA levels in the aluminium-treated group compared to the normal control.. Treatment with Ashwagandha showed a significant increase in GSH level and decrease in MDA level. Photomicrographic sections of the Brain in Ashwagandha-treated rats showed normla neuronal Count and exposure to Aluminium has caused significant reduction in the neuronal count. Experimental group pretreated with ashwagandha showed a visible increase in neuronal count in different regions of the rat brain. Conclusion: The results revealed that oral administration of aluminium induced adverse oxidative effects in the exposed animals, while treatment with Ashwagandha markedly reduced the extent of aluminium chloride-induced brain injury.

}, keywords = {Aluminum Chloride, Ashwagandha, Malondialdehyde, Oxidative stress, Reactive Oxygen Species, Reduced glutathione}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.104}, author = {Anchana Babu and Rekha D Kini and Nayanatara Arun Kumar and Megha Gokul and Vandana Blossom and Sreerag P and Shymala Nayak} } @article {2514, title = {Discover How Ashwagandha May Impact Health: A Comprehensive Review}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {June 2025}, pages = {394-398}, type = {Review Article}, chapter = {394}, abstract = {

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is a medicinal herb that has been commonly utilized in traditional medicine for millennia, particularly in Ayurvedic practices. The root of the plant is pharmacologically active and has been used for its aphrodisiac, diuretic, anti-helminthic, narcotic, tonic, and stimulant properties. Additionally, other parts of ashwagandha, including the leaves, shoots, seeds, and berries, contribute to its health-promoting effects and the potential for improving longevity. This plant is composed of many bioactive compounds which exhibit a myriad of health-enhancing properties. Contemporary research has focused on the multifaceted bioactivities of ashwagandha, revealing promising impacts such as anticancer, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities, among other therapeutic applications. This review was planned to find the most recent findings, providing an examination of the active constituents of ashwagandha, their biological activities, and a critical assessment of any associated safety concerns and potential toxicity.

}, keywords = {Anti-inflammatory, Anticancer dosage, Antioxidant, Ashwagandha, Toxicity, Withania somnifera}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17.49}, author = {Omar Naseem Alzrigat and Yazeed Nabeel Al-Qusous and Dema Maher Masadeh and Madleen Nabeel Al-Qusous} } @article {320, title = {Ashwagandha Root Extract Inhibits Acetylcholine Esterase, Protein Modification and Ameliorates H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress in Rat Lymphocytes}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {9}, year = {2017}, month = {April 2017 }, pages = {302-309}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {302}, abstract = {

Background: Herbs have long been the basis of medical treatment but the practice of herbalism is not strictly based on evidences gathered using scientific methods. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.) is a traditional medicinal herb used in the treatment of various ailments. Objective: In current study we have evaluated the acetylcholine esterase (AChE) inhibitory and antioxidant potential of Ashwagandha root extract (ARE) in in-vitro and ex-vivo models to give a scientific base to its use in herbal medicine. Methodology: Simplest extraction e.g. maceration method was performed for preparation of extracts using methanol as solvent. Both in vitro and in vivo experimental trial were executed to evaluate the efficacy of root extract. Result and Discussion: ARE substantially scavenged free radicals and effectively prevented protein degradation as well as modification as studied by SDS-PAGE and Western blotting. Pre-treatment with ARE protected rat lymphocytes against H2O2-induced oxidative damage. H2O2 treatment resulted in DNA fragmentation and significantly decreased the activities of key antioxidant enzymes namely superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase while decreased and increased the content of glutathione and malondialdehyde, respectively. ARE pre-treatment almost reversed these changes indicating its efficiency to suppress hydrogen peroxide-induced oxidative stress. Conclusion: The study provides the scientific basis of pleiotropic functions of Ashwagandha.

}, keywords = {Acetylcholine esterase, Antioxidants, Ashwagandha, DNA damage, Protein carbonylation, Rat lymphocytes}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2017.3.52}, url = {/files/PJ-9-3/10.5530pj.2017.3.52}, author = {Ajay Pal and Kandikattu Hemanth Kumar and Bharat Bhushan and Vinod Saharan} }