@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 {2582, title = {Efficacy of Standardized Withania Somnifera as Neuro Agent in Tension-Type Headache: A Comparative Trial of Data in Transit}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {17}, year = {2025}, month = {December 2025}, pages = {378-385}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {378}, abstract = {

Background: To evaluate the role of withania somnifera as a neuro-psychiatric agent in the treatment of Tension-Type Headache (TTH), there is a need to substantiate the therapy using solid therapeutic evidence. Although using traditional medicine has a great potential, it is difficult to demonstrate the efficacy of a particular phytochemical composition regarding the frequency of and physiological stress markers of the chronic Tension-Type Headache in standardized research. Objective: The purpose of the study is to assess the therapeutic efficacy of a standardized Withania somnifera extract in reducing the frequency of and physiological stress markers of the chronic Tension-Type Headache. Methods: We used the study as a double-blind and randomized controlled trial (RCT). The subjects were randomly selected to be given a standardized extract of the root of W. somnifera, that has been titrated to contain 5 percent withanolides, or a placebo dose of 60 days. The paper ensured a rigorous "molecular chain of custody" with a batch of withanolides linked in clinical outcome reported where the mean frequency of headaches in the treatment group reduced by 42\% (p [Less than] 0.005). Results: Clinical outcome showed that there was a significant decline in the frequency of headaches in the treatment group by 42\% (p [Less than] 0.005). Moreover, the Ashwagandha group was showing a significant drop in salivary cortisol levels, which means that there was a decrease in the level of physiological stress response to chronic TTH. Conclusion: Standardized natural products should be integrated into clinical trials as it is the most beneficial to the development of sustainable pharmacognosy. This experiment can offer an unambiguous evidence base, a clear and reproducible basis of evidence regarding the use of Ashwagandha in the current neurological practice by showing the clear efficacy in reducing the frequency of Tension-Type Headaches and biological stress markers.

}, keywords = {Biomarker Integrity, Phytochemical Standardization, Sustainable Research Framework, Tension-Type Headache, Withania somnifera}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2025.17s.109}, author = {Ashwani Kumar and Prikshat Kumar Angra and Suresh Chandra Akula and Pritpal Singh and Anuj Sharma and Anup Sharma} } @article {796, title = {Effects of Withania somnifera Nicotine Induced Conditioned Place Preference in Mice}, journal = {Pharmacognosy Journal}, volume = {11}, year = {2019}, month = {January 2019}, pages = {43-47}, type = {Original Article}, chapter = {43}, abstract = {

Background: Herbal medicines can be novel treatment strategies for management of nicotine addiction. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is an Indian medicinal plant of great medicinal value; used in many clinically proven conditions. Objective: In present study we aimed at investigating the effect of withania somnifera extract (WSE) on preventing nicotine mediated effects attributed for the development of addiction. Material and Methods: Mice were treated with nicotine and/or WSE and subjected to nicotine induced conditioned place preference (CPP) in male albino mice was checked. Results: Application of two-way ANOVA showed that with preconditioning and post-conditioning values as a within-subjects (column) factor and treatment as an independent between subject (row) factor. Two-way ANOVA revealed significant effect of treatment [F(3,40)=4.119, p\<0.05], time [F(1,40)=23.76, p\<0.001] and interactiontreatment x time [F(3,40)=5.244, p\<0.01] on Intra-peritoneal (ip) administration of nicotine (1 mg/kg). WSE did not produce any changes in the preference to drug-paired compartment. Factors like treatment [F(3,40) = 0.656, p\>0.05], time [F(1,40) = 7.383, p\<0.01] and interactiontreatment x time [F(3,40) = 0.5748, p\>0.05] showed insignificant effects. Withania somnifera (50,100,200 mg/kg ip) coadministered with nicotine during the 6 days conditioning sessions completely abolished the acquisition of nicotine-induced CPP in mice. Conclusion: Above data indicate that withania somnifera attenuate nicotine induced CPP. Hence it has potential as an anti-addictive therapy.

}, keywords = {Condition place preference, Nicotine, Withania somnifera}, doi = {10.5530/pj.2019.1.8}, author = {Nitin Govindrao Dumore and Milind Janrao Umekar and Brijesh Gulabrao Taksande and Manish Manohar Aglawe and Nandkishor Ramdasji Kotagale} }