Vandita Singh1*, Hakikulla H. Shah2, Gilles J. Guillemin3
1Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, 2Department of Basic Sciences, College of applied Sciences, A’Sharqiyah University, P. O. Box 42, Ibra, Oman. 3Neuroinflammation Group, MND and Neurodegenerative diseases Research Group, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Macquarie University, NSW, 2109, Australia
*Corresponding Author:Dr. Vandita Singh.E-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Neurodegenerative diseases commonly induce irreversible destruction of central nervous system neuronal networks, resulting in permanent functional impairments such as Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s diseases and spinal cord injury. Effective medications against neurodegenerative diseases are currently lacking. Withaniasomniferais widely used in Ayurvedic medicine as a nerve tonic and memory enhancer. This review summarized various health effects and mechanisms of Withaniasomniferaextract and related compounds on in vitro and in vivo models of neurodegenerative diseases. Withaniasomnifera, popularly known as Ashwagandha is widely considered as the Indian ginseng. In Ayurveda, it is classified as a rasayana (rejuvenation) and expected to promote physical and mental health, rejuvenate the body in debilitated conditions and increase longevity. Having wide range of activity, it is used to treat almost all disorders that affect the human health. This review describes the neuroprotective effect of Withaniasomnifera and its bioactive components.
Keywords: Alzheimer’s Disease, Neurodegenerative Diseases, Parkinson’s Disease, Withaniasomnifera
Citation: Singh V, Shah HH,Guillemin GJ. Neuroprotective Effect of Ashwagandha (roots of Withaniasomnifera): The rejuvenator. Canad J ClinNutr 2017; 5 (2): 34-51.
DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.14206/canad.j.clin.nutr.2017.02.04
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