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Withania somnifera: An Indian ginseng.

Kulkarni SK, Dhir A

Pharmacology Division, University Institute of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Panjab University, Chandigarh — 160 014, India.

Withania somnifera, 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. The present review discusses the pharmacological basis of the use of W. somnifera in various central nervous system (CNS) disorders, particularly its indication in epilepsy, stress and neurodegenerative diseases such as Parkinson's and Alzheimer's disorders, tardive dyskinesia, cerebral ischemia, and even in the management of drug addiction.

Published 25 October 2007 in Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry.
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