Therapeutic Potential of Withania somnifera in CNS Disorders: A Neuropharmacological Review

Context: According to Ayurveda, the oldest and the first documented system of medicine in the world defines medicinal plants as Medhya Rasayana which show properties influencing the brain tissues. Medhya Rasayana can reportedly retard brain aging and which help in different central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is one of the Medhya Rasayana and it has been shown to have medicinal properties to treat several CNS disorders.

Objective: Research in the area of alternative medicine has come up with several options to treat the disorders of CNS. However, a comprehensive review of such a potent medicinal plant; Withania somnifera in different CNS disorders has been absent till date. The present review focuses on the effects of phytochemicals isolated from Withania somnifera on different types of central nervous system CNS disorders.

Materials and Methods: Numerous animal and in vitro studies have been conducted on Withania somnifera, which advocates strong potential medicinal properties of this plant. We reviewed the MEDLINE database to identify experimental studies conducted using Withania somnifera in several CNS disorders.

Results: Our present study shows that Withania somnifera has a very potent role in the treatment of CNS disorders i.e. Parkinson disease, Alzheimer’s disease, Epilepsy, Anxiety, OCD, Hypoxia, Huntington's disease, Catalepsy and Bipolar disorder. Withania somnifera act on several neurotransmitters to treat these CNS disorders.

Discussion and Conclusion: Withania somnifera demonstrates remarkable potential in the amelioration of CNS disorders, with anticancer, anti-inflammatory, anti-stress, anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects.