WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (ASHWAGANDHA) ROOT EXTRACTS: ANALGESIC AND ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITIES AND PHYTOCHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION
Main Article Content
Keywords
Withania somnifera, Ashwagandha root extract, Withanolides, Withaferin A, Analgesic activity, Anti-inflammatory activity, Phytochemical characterization, TLC, FTIR,NMR spectroscopy, Mass spectrometry, Hot-plate test, Carrageenan-induced paw edema, NF-κB inhibition, COX-2 suppression
Abstract
The steroidal lactones, particularly withanolides, in the roots of Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, are known for their analgesic and anti-inflammatory properties. This study looks at the beneficial compounds and healing effects of ethanol extracts from W. somnifera roots, using different techniques like thin-layer chromatography (TLC), ultraviolet-visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and mass spectrometry (MS). The analysis showed that important compounds called withanolides, particularly withaferin A and withanolide A, were connected to the medicinal effects of the extract. The FTIR spectrum showed clear signals for lactone C=O (~1700 cm⁻¹) and enone (~1670 cm⁻¹), confirming that withanolides are present. The UV-Vis spectrum showed a strong absorption peak near 206 nm, which matches the characteristics of conjugated enone chromophores. Mass spectrometry showed ions at m/z 493.26 and 509.23, which match the molecular formula of withanolide A (C₂₈H₃₈O₆). The extract's pain-relieving and swelling- reducing effects were tested in living mice using the hot-plate test for pain response and a model that causes swelling in the paw. The administration of 150 mg/kg of the extract significantly extended latency in the hot-plate test, indicating a notable analgesic effect. Additionally, a dosage of 25 mg/kg led to a 61.4% decrease in carrageenan-induced paw edema, compared to a 65.9% decrease noted with hydrocortisone. The results show that withanolides play a role in the effects seen, as confirmed by TLC and NMR tests. This study validates the traditional use of Ashwagandha for pain and inflammation management, providing a scientific basis for its therapeutic effectiveness. The identification of active withanolides, including withaferin A, underscores the significant pharmacological promise of extracts from W. somnifera roots as natural analgesics and anti-inflammatory agents.
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Karishma Titoria
PhD Scholar, DR. K N Modi University,
Dr.Amit kumar
Research Coordinate, Assistant Professor, DR. K N Modi University,