Withania somnifera and its properties

Abstract

Withania somnifera commonly known as ashwagandha or Indian ginseng, is a medicinal shrub of the Solanaceae family widely used in Ayurvedic medicine. It synthesizes a class of steroidal lactones called withanolides together with alkaloids and other constituents that underline its diverse pharmacological activities notably adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, immunomodulatory and anticancer effects.