Withania somnifera is a plant that is also called ashwagandha. This herb is used in traditional medicine to treat a number of health complaints, and the health benefits it confers is as a direct result of the phytochemicals it contains. Studies have assessed the phytochemistry of withania, and in particular have studied the roots of the plant that are used medicinally. These studies reveal the presence of around 35 chemical constituents that may be responsible in whole or in part for the various health effects of the plant. It is thought that the main active constituent in the plant’s roots are a group of alkaloids including isopellertierine, anahygrine, cuscohygrine, pseudotropine, somniferinine, somniferiene, tropanol, withanine, withananine and anferine; steroidal lactones including withanolides and withaferins; saponins with an acyl functional group including sitoindoside VII and VIII; as well as withanolide glucosides including sitonidoside XI and X. The steroidal structure of withanolides is similar to the main active constituents in Panax ginseng, the latter containing steroidal molecules called ginsenosides. The main withanolides present in withania include withaferin A and withanolide D. Withanolides are likely adaptogenic compounds and may reduce the effects of stress hormones in humans and animals. Withania is also high in iron, and this may provide some of the anti-fatigue effects of the herb.
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Singh, G., Sharma, P. K., Dudhe, R. and Singh, S. 2010. Biological activities of Withania somnifera. Annals of Biological Research. 1(3): 56-63
