Importance and chemical composition

Importance and chemical composition


    Importance and chemical composition Importance and chemical composition
    • Aswagandha (Withania somnifera) is commonly known as ‘winter cherry’ and Indian Ginseng in English. Several types of alkaloids are found in this plant, out of which, withanine and somniferine are important. In addition the leaves are important to contain five unidentified alkaloids. The total alkaloid content in Ashwagandathe roots of Indian types has been reported to vary between 0.13 -0.31. The drug is mainly used in Ayurvedic and Unanic preparations.

    • Withaferin A- contains antibiotic and antitumor properties. It is used for curing carbuncles in the indigenous system of medicine. The paste prepared out of its leaves is used for curing inflammation of tubercular glands and that of its roots Fruit for curing the skin diseases, bronchitis and ulcers. It is used as aphrodisiac, remunerative tonic, Diuretic, Hypnotic, Sedative and restorative, useful in rheumatism, cough debility from old age, dropsy and general weakness. In addition to alkaloids, roots are reported to contain starch, reducing sugar, hentriacontane, glycosides, dulcital, withaniol acid and a neutral compound. The free amino acids identified in the roots include aspartic acid, glycine, tryosine, alanine, proline, tryptophan, glutamic acid and cystine.

    • Berries contain milk coagulating enzymes, esterases, free amino acids, fatty oil, essential oil and alkaloids. The amino acids present are proline, hydroxy-proline, valine, tryoline, aspartic acid, glycine, asper agine, cystine and glutamic acid.
Last modified: Monday, 4 June 2012, 10:24 AM