Comprehensive Report on Phytochemistry and Pharmacological Prominence of Withania somnifera

Medicinal plants have been one of the prominent sources of remedies since the inception of human civilization. In rural area herbal medicines are considered to be best healthcare products due to its easily availability. A large proportion of the world population, especially in the developing countries relies mainly on the traditional system of medicine. Withania somnifera is known as Ashwagandha belonging to the Solanaceae family. W. somnifera is used as adaptogen, antiarthritic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, nervine tonic, nerve soothing, sedative, hypotensive, antioxidant, immunomodulator, free radical scavenger, anti-stress and anti-cancer agent. From chemistry point of view, the drug contains group of biologically active constituents known as withanolides. The major active constituents of W. somnifera root are steroidal alkaloids and steroidal lactones in a class of constituents called withanolides. The present review is therefore, an effort to give a detailed overview of the published writings on phytochemistry and pharmacological activities of W. somnifera; this information will be beneficial in developing new formulations, which are more effective and have more therapeutic values.