Medicinal plant Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal and pharmacological active compounds: A systematic review

Abstract

India has one of the oldest, richest and most diverse cultural traditions associated with the use of medicinal plants including more than 2000 species. Among the plants known for medicinal value, genus Withania belonging to family Solanaceae is very important for its therapeutic potentials. The major biochemical constituents of Ashwagandha roots and leaves are steroidal alkaloids and steroidal lactones which belong to class of constituents called withanolides which include withanolide A, withanolide D, withaferin A and the sitoindosides. Mycorrhizal associations confer benefits like better nutrition acquisition, enhanced growth and secondary metabolite production, defense enhancement and improved abiotic and biotic stress tolerance in plants. To meet the growing demand of herbal medicine the utmost need is to explore the means by which these bioactive metabolites can be enhanced. The symbiotic association of Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi with medicinal plants like Ashwagandha can be useful for enhancing the quantity and quality of phytochemicals or secondary metabolites of pharmacological, therapeutic, and cosmetic interest.