The yield parameters and cost economics of Withania somnifera were studied using Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) treatments. Withania somnifera is cultivated in around 10,780 ha with a production of 8429 tones in India. The annual demand of this herb increased from 7028 tones (2001-2002) to 9127 tones (2004-2005). The field experiment was conducted at the research farm of Department of Pla...

Hypoglycemic, diuretic and hypocholesterolemic effects of roots of W. somnifera (ashvagandha) were assessed on human subjects. Six mild NIDDM subjects and six mild hypercholesterolemic subjects were treated with the powder of roots of W. somnifera for 30 days. Suitable parameters were studied in the blood and urine samples of the subjects along with dietary pattern before and at the end of trea...

Withania somnifera (WS) or its psychotropic preparation is known to play a critical role in morphine, alcohol and benzodiazepines addiction. This study investigates the role of WS in acute ethanol and withdrawal from chronic ethanol consumption using elevated plus maze paradigm in rats. Acute administration of ethanol (1.5-2 g/kg, ip) triggered anxiolytic effect and withdrawal from prolonged et...

Withania somnifera recently categorized as threatened plant of Rajasthan and known for its high medicinal value has been studied for existing genetic variations in four accessions collected from four different locations. From the present studies it is apparent that the gametic number of W. somnifera is n = 24 and 2n = 48. From the combined information generated by present author and earlier wor...

This study investigated the effect of Withania somnifera Dunal (WS) root extract and diazepam in social isolation induced behavior such as anxiety and depression in rats. Rats were isolated for 6 weeks and the assessment of changed behavior were done on elevated plus maze (EPM) and forced swim test (FST). Isolation reared rats spent less time into the open arms on EPM and significantly increase...

BACKGROUND Opioid consumption has been widely increasing across the globe; how- ever, it can cause adverse effects on the body. Morphine, an opioid, can reduce sex hor- mones and fertility. Withania somnifera (WS) is a traditional herb used to improve sexual activities. This study strives to investigate the effect of WS on sex hormones and gonado- tropins in addicted male rats. MATERIALS AND ...

Dyslipidemia is one of the most common complications in diabetes mellitus, which increases risk of premature atherosclerosis. Drugs having antihyperlipidemic activity in addition to their hypoglycemic effect in diabetes may be suitable anti-atherosclerotic agents in diabetic patients. The present study was aimed to investigate the anti-atherosclerotic activity of an aqueous extract of Withania ...