Withania coagulans: Bioactive Compounds and Pharmacological Significance

<i>Withania coagulans</i> has long been used as a health-beneficial medicinal herb in the Ayurveda system of Indian traditional medicine. It is a rich source of steroidal lactone-type compounds known as withanolides. Among the various withanolides, withaferin A, withacoagin, and coagulin A-R are the key compounds that have been isolated from various parts of this medicinal plant for their pharmacological uses. Traditionally, the consumption of whole plants is strongly associated with diabetes. As per the literature survey, the ethanol or aqueous extracts of fruits have been used for their antidiabetic, free radical scavenging, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antifungal, cardiovascular protection, immunomodulatory, and hepatoprotective effects as well as anti-Alzheimer activities. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to highlight the chemical structures of isolated withanolides (1-33) and their diverse pharmacological properties exhibited by different plant parts in the prevention and treatment of human diseases.