An Overview on Health Benefits of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in Veterinary Medicine
Prerna Yadav *
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, (302031), India.
Ankita Lamba
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, (302031), India.
Amit Meena
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, (302031), India.
Reenu Tanwar
Department of Animal Nutrition, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, (302031), India.
Akansha Choudhary
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, (302031), India.
Alka Choudhary
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, (302031), India.
Warsha Choudhary
Department of Veterinary Medicine, Post Graduate Institute of Veterinary Education and Research, Jaipur, Rajasthan, (302031), India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Ayurvedic plants are now used more frequently in veterinary medications because they are organic and have lower toxicity and negative side effects. Withania somnifera is also known as “Ashwagandha”, and is well-known herbal plant cultivated in arid regions of India that is used in traditional medicine. Different plant components have medicinal capabilities, but the root offers the greatest number of advantages for health. Alkaloids, flavonoids, polyphenol, steroidal lactones (withanolides, withaferins), saponins containing an additional acyl group (sitoindoside VII and VIII), and withanolides (sitoindoside IX and X) are the main active phytoconstituents in plant extract acquires immunomodulatory, hemopoietic, hepatic tonic, anti-inflammatory, adaptogenic, antitumor, antistress, antibacterial, antioxidative, and astringent properties. The most popular and widely utilized root powder of W. somnifera for pharmacological research is its aqueous, ethanolic, methanolic, and ether extracts.
Keywords: Ashwagandha, phytoconstituents, extract, medicine