Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Vivek K. Kashyap, Godwin Peasah-Darkwah, Anupam Dhasmana, Meena Jaggi, Murali M. Yallapu, Subhash C. Chauhan
Summary: This review highlights the potential of Withania somnifera (WS) as an anticancer and immunomodulatory molecule. Several preclinical studies have shown that WS can prevent or slow the progression of cancer originating from various organs. However, stability, bioavailability, and target specificity are major obstacles in the application of WS for cancer therapy.
Review
Plant Sciences
Sarada D. Tetali, Satyabrata Acharya, Aditya B. Ankari, Vadthyavath Nanakram, Agepati S. Raghavendra
Summary: Withania somnifera, commonly known as Indian ginseng, has been extensively used in Ayurveda for various health benefits. Metabolomic studies have shown that the metabolite profiles of W. somnifera vary depending on plant parts collected, developmental stage, season, and geographical location. The use of sophisticated techniques like LC-MS, GC-MS, HPTLC, and NMR has facilitated the discovery of new metabolites and comprehensive metabolomic profiles.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Subhabrata Paul, Shreya Chakraborty, Uttpal Anand, Swarnali Dey, Samapika Nandy, Mimosa Ghorai, Suchismita Chatterjee Saha, Manoj Tukaram Patil, Ramesh Kandimalla, Jaroslaw Prockow, Abhijit Dey
Summary: Withania somnifera, a traditional Rasayana herb, exhibits potent pharmacological activities against a variety of human medical conditions. Further studies are needed to explore its clinical applications and toxicological properties for safe and efficacious use as a health-promoting herb.
BIOMEDICINE & PHARMACOTHERAPY
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Helen Holvoet, Dani M. Long, Alexander Law, Christine McClure, Jaewoo Choi, Liping Yang, Luke Marney, Burkhard Poeck, Roland Strauss, Jan F. Stevens, Claudia S. Maier, Amala Soumyanath, Doris Kretzschmar
Summary: Withania somnifera (WS) extracts, widely used in traditional medicine and as nutritional supplements, have shown positive effects on healthy aging, sleep, and resilience against stress. Different extracts may have different beneficial effects due to the variation in active ingredients.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
Kuldeep Kaur, Pritika Singh, Kulwinder Kaur, Abhishek Bhandawat, Panchsheela Nogia, Pratap Kumar Pati
Summary: Withania somnifera is a medicinal plant with immense pharmaceutical potential. In vitro propagation system is used to produce genetically and phytochemically uniform plants, with a multi-step protocol developed to minimize the adverse effects of cytokinin. The protocol also includes modulation of ammonium nitrate strength for in vitro rooting initiation.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Seoung Rak Lee, Bum Soo Lee, Jae Sik Yu, Heesun Kang, Min Jeong Yoo, Sang Ah Yi, Jeung-Whan Han, Sil Kim, Jung Kyu Kim, Jin-Chul Kim, Ki Hyun Kim
Summary: This study identifies withasilolides from Indian ginseng as potential anti-adipogenic compounds for the treatment of obesity and related metabolic diseases.
JOURNAL OF GINSENG RESEARCH
(2022)
Review
Plant Sciences
Neetu Singh, S. S. Yadav, Amrender Singh Rao, Abhishek Nandal, Sanjiv Kumar, S. A. Ganaie, B. Narasihman
Summary: Withania somnifera, also known as Ashwagandha, has been traditionally used as an important medicinal herb with various health benefits, including anti-cancer properties. The plant contains alkaloids, steroids, flavonoids, phenolics, and other compounds that contribute to its therapeutic potential in treating different types of cancers.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Maushma Atteeq
Summary: Withaferin A, derived from the plant Withania somnifera, has gained great attention for its anticancer properties. It interacts with key proteins involved in cancer cell activity, leading to apoptosis. Additionally, Withaferin A generates reactive oxidative species, activates Par-4, induces endoplasmic reticulum stress, and activates p53, contributing to its pro-apoptotic effects.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Manali Singh, Sanjeev Agrawal, Obaid Afzal, Abdulmalik S. A. Altamimi, Alya Redhwan, Nawaf Alshammari, Mitesh Patel, Mohd Adnan, Abdelbaset Mohamed Elasbali, Shahanavaj Khan
Summary: This study aimed to optimize the production of withanolides in Withania somnifera by foliar spraying different elicitors. The results showed that the use of jasmonic acid and chitosan significantly increased the content of withanolides. This low-cost and eco-friendly approach can be a feasible way for farmers to enhance the production of withanolides.
Article
Agricultural Engineering
T. M. Anandakumar, Devendra Kumar, B. Shivanna, Rakesh Kumar
Summary: This study aimed to determine the physical properties of ashwagandha seeds for designing and developing seed sowing equipment. The results showed significant differences in diameter, sphericity, and gravimetric properties among different cultivars, which can be helpful for agricultural engineers in designing seed handling tools and machines.
INDUSTRIAL CROPS AND PRODUCTS
(2022)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Akash Saggam, Kirti Limgaokar, Swapnil Borse, Preeti Chavan-Gautam, Santosh Dixit, Girish Tillu, Bhushan Patwardhan
Summary: This review highlights the potential of Ashwagandha in managing COVID-19, showcasing its immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, and organ protective properties. It proposes Ashwagandha as a therapeutic adjuvant for COVID-19 management and suggests the need for further systematic studies to fully realize its potential.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Arsalan Bashir, Masarat Nabi, Nahida Tabassum, Suhaib Afzal, Mehrose Ayoub
Summary: Ashwagandha, as a significant medicinal plant, has been used in Ayurvedic and indigenous systems of medicine for over 3,000 years. It contains bioactive constituents known as withanolides, which have a broad spectrum of therapeutic potential. Research has shown that Ashwagandha can combat various chronic diseases and has effects on multiple molecular targets.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Pukar Khanal, Rupesh Chikhale, Yadu Nandan Dey, Ismail Pasha, Sharad Chand, Nilambari Gurav, Muniappan Ayyanar, B. M. Patil, Shailendra Gurav
Summary: Traditionally used as an immune booster and anti-viral, Withania somnifera contains withanolides which have shown promising potential against COVID-19. Withanolide_G, Withanolide_I, and Withanolide_M from Withania somnifera exhibited the highest binding affinity with PLpro, 3CLpro, and spike protein, respectively. The findings suggest that withanolides could be effective in boosting the immune system and inhibiting COVID-19 infection.
JOURNAL OF BIOMOLECULAR STRUCTURE & DYNAMICS
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Harshita Gaurav, Divyanshu Yadav, Ankita Maurya, Himanshu Yadav, Ramanand Yadav, Amritesh Chandra Shukla, Minaxi Sharma, Vijai Kumar Gupta, Javier Palazon
Summary: This review provides an overview of the traditional uses, botany, phytochemistry, and pharmacological advances of Withania somnifera L. Dunal (Ashwagandha), an important medicinal plant native to India. The plant contains a variety of primary and secondary metabolites, mainly steroidal compounds, steroidal lactones, alkaloids, and amino acids. In addition, it exhibits various medicinal activities such as anti-leukotriene, antineoplastic, analgesic, antioxidant, immunostimulatory, and rejuvenating properties. However, further research is needed to understand its medical applications.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kadine Cabey, Dani M. Long, Alexander Law, Nora E. Gray, Christine McClure, Maya Caruso, Parnian Lak, Kirsten M. Wright, Jan F. Stevens, Claudia S. Maier, Amala Soumyanath, Doris Kretzschmar
Summary: Due to the increasing aging population, age-related diseases and changes such as cognitive decline and sleep disturbances have become a growing health threat. This study suggests that oxidative stress may be behind many of these changes. The herbs Withania somnifera and Centella asiatica have shown potential in reducing oxidative stress and improving age-related impairments in behavior, indicating that they might promote healthy aging in humans.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Manisha Sharma, Rajender S. Sangwan, Bhupender S. Khatkar, Sudhir P. Singh
Summary: In this study, sucrose in sweet sorghum stalk juice was converted into oligosaccharides using microbial and enzymatic methods, with a yield of 10-14 g L-1. The modified sweet sorghum juice enriched with oligosaccharides exhibited noteworthy growth profile for probiotic bacteria, without altering antioxidative properties or sensory properties. The oligosaccharides in the juice also showed tolerance to heat exposure, making them feasible for food processing applications.
WASTE AND BIOMASS VALORIZATION
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Sandeep K. Singh, Guru R. Valicherla, Anil K. Bikkasani, Srikanth H. Cheruvu, Zakir Hossain, Isha Taneja, Hafsa Ahmad, Kanumuri S. R. Raju, Neelam S. Sangwan, Shio K. Singh, Anil K. Dwivedi, Mohammad Wahajuddin, Jiaur R. Gayen
Summary: The study aimed to develop a precise method for analyzing Withanone (WN) in rat plasma, and investigate its in-vitro ADME behavior. Results showed that WN exhibited stability and high permeability in simulated gastric and intestinal environments, with high plasma protein binding. CYP phenotyping indicated extensive metabolism by CYP 3A4 and 1A2, though it did not potently inhibit any CYP isoenzymes in rat and human liver microsomes. The findings suggest that WN could be a promising phytochemical for neurological disorders based on its pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Lokesh Kumar Narnoliya, Neelam Sangwan, Jyoti Singh Jadaun, Shilpi Bansal, Rajender Singh Sangwan
Summary: This study cloned and characterized the recombinant caffeic acid 3-O-methyltransferase gene from Neem, demonstrating its crucial role in ferulic acid biosynthesis. The heterologous expression of the gene in different plant species provided insights into its biological function in plants, highlighting potential applications in metabolic engineering for the biosynthesis of therapeutically important phytomolecules.
Article
Oncology
Deepti Diwan, Lei Cheng, Zeba Usmani, Minaxi Sharma, Nicola Holden, Nicholas Willoughby, Neelam Sangwan, Rama Raju Baadhe, Chenchen Liu, Vijai Kumar Gupta
Summary: The success of conventional cancer therapeutics is limited by antibiotic resistance and lack of specificity in anti-tumor drugs. Microbial-derived bioactive molecules are offering a new strategic solution by selectively targeting cancer cells. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the anti-carcinogenic properties of these molecules and discusses effective therapeutic applications to minimize systemic side effects.
SEMINARS IN CANCER BIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Farzana Sabir, Olfa Zarrouk, Henrique Noronha, Maria C. Loureiro-Dias, Graca Soveral, Hernani Geros, Catarina Prista
Summary: High-scored premium wines are typically produced under moderate drought stress, suggesting that the water status of grapevine is crucial for wine quality. Aquaporins play a significant role in regulating plant water status, and understanding plant-water relations at the molecular level is important for optimizing agricultural practices.
Article
Engineering, Chemical
Gisha Singla, Parmjit S. Panesar, Rajender S. Sangwan, Meena Krishania
Summary: The study focused on the effect of different packaging materials on the quality and storage stability of vermicelli supplemented with debittered kinnow pulp residue. LDPE pouches showed greater changes in moisture content and hardness during storage, with lower overall acceptability compared to BOPP pouches. BOPP demonstrated potential for commercial packaging of antioxidant-rich extruded food products without adversely impacting their physiochemical and sensory properties.
JOURNAL OF FOOD PROCESS ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Muktesh Chandra, Shiwani Kushwaha, Bhawana Mishra, Neelam Sangwan
Summary: The essential oil of Ocimum species has been widely used in traditional medicine in India for its pharmacological importance. Recent studies have focused on defining the major genes of phenylpropanoid and terpenoid pathways in Ocimum species. Structural studies revealed significant differences in enzymes of the MVA pathway in two major species of Ocimum, with implications for the regulation of terpenoid biosynthesis.
PLANT GROWTH REGULATION
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Niharika Kaushal, Minni Singh, Rajender Singh Sangwan
Summary: Flavonoids have therapeutic potential and nutraceutical properties, and are associated with different foods. This review discusses the mechanisms and limitations of imparting nutraceutical properties to flavonoids, and explores the use of nanoformulations to overcome these limitations.
FOOD RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shama Afroz, Zafar Iqbal Warsi, Kahkashan Khatoon, Neelam S. Sangwan, Feroz Khan, Laiq Ur Rahman
Summary: In this study, a key gene CaHMGS in Centella asiatica was successfully isolated and characterized. The gene showed the highest expression level in the roots and the lowest expression level in the node of the plant. Functional complementation experiment confirmed the functionality of the CaHMGS gene. This study contributes to the enhancement of secondary metabolite production in the plant.
MOLECULAR BIOLOGY REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yashdeep Srivastava, Sandhya Tripathi, Bhawana Mishra, Neelam S. Sangwan
Summary: This study cloned and characterized a key enzyme, geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase (WsGGPPS), involved in the terpenoid biosynthetic pathway in Withania somnifera. Overexpression of WsGGPPS resulted in increased levels of gibberellic acid. These findings provide important insights into the regulation of major metabolite biosynthesis in Withania somnifera.
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Nisha Yadav, Deependra Singh, Manju Rawat, Neelam Sangwan
Summary: This paper discusses the global incidence and prevalence of various types of cancer and explores the potential of natural drugs and nanocarrier systems in cancer treatment. It highlights the promising alternatives offered by specialized metabolites from medicinal plants and emphasizes the importance of phytochemicals in preventing and treating cancer. The paper also suggests that nanoparticles can enhance the stability, solubility, bioavailability, and target specificity of plant products, making them more effective and safe for drug delivery.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Jyoti Sangwan, Sandhya Tripathi, Nisha Yadav, Yogesh Kumar, Neelam Sangwan
Summary: SARS-nCoV, a rapidly spreading coronavirus, has affected millions of people worldwide. Understanding the genomic information is crucial for controlling its spread. Comparative sequence analysis revealed variations in the sequences coding for different proteins between SARS CoV and SARS nCoV. The S protein coding sequences of SARS CoV showed deletions, insertions, and substitutions in SARS nCoV sequence. The binding interaction pattern of ACE2 receptor protein with SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variant indicated potential impacts on virulence.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE INDIAN NATIONAL SCIENCE ACADEMY
(2023)