Assessment of Phytochemical and Antimicrobial Activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)

Abstract

Withania somnifera L. (Dunal), a member of the Solanaceae family, has been used by Ayurvedic practitioners for thousands of years. The root of Withania somnifera contains flavonoids, alkaloids, steroids, and other useful functional components. It contains a high concentration of bioreactors, or secondary metabolites, such as steroidal lactones, alkaloids, and flavonoids, all of which have beneficial properties and are used in ninety Ayurvedic formulations. Ashwagandha has long been recognized as a potent rejuvenator, general health tonic, and treatment for a wide range of ailments. It is a sedative, diuretic, and anti-inflammatory herb that is well known for increasing energy and endurance while also acting as an adaptogen with high immune stimulatory and anti-stress properties. Ashwagandha is used to treat colds, cough, emaciation, diabetes, conjunctivitis, epilepsy, insomnia, senile dementia, leprosy, Parkinson’s disease, mental disorders, rheumatic, arthritis, intestinal infections, bronchitis, asthma, impotence, and
also used as HIV/AIDS suppressant. According to the Indian Herbal System, ashwagandha is one of the most important herbs and the best adaptogenic (Ayurveda). Withanolide is made up of steroidal molecules that are supposed to help with inflammation. Ashwagandha boosts the immune system, reduces inflammation, improves cognition, and promotes overall health and well-being. Ashwagandha is a shrub that promotes bone marrow and sperm production, as well as acting as an anti-aging. By using the agar well diffusion method, the antibacterial activity of different solvent extracts of Withania somnifera stem was assessed against the gram-negative bacteria Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. When tested against several test microorganisms, all of the extracts showed strong antibacterial activity. E. coli was the investigation’s most vulnerable bacterium, and all of the plant extracts displayed zones of inhibition when used against it. The methanol extract of W. somnifera stem and leaf had the strongest antibacterial effect against E.coli, followed by S. aureus and Pseudomonas. All bacterial strains were least inhibited by DH2O extract. The MIC of the extracts that were recorded ranged from 8 mm to 26 mm. In the current experiment, methanol extract had the
lowest MIC value (8 mm) against S. aureus and Pseudomonas. Different phytochemicals were found in different extracts of Withania according to qualitative phytochemical analysis. Several studies have found that Ashwagandha has anti-tumor and anti-inflammatory properties. It has a significantly greater steroidal than hydrocortisone, which is a typical cancer treatment.