Universal Journal of Plant Science Vol. 10(3), pp. 62 - 72
DOI: 10.13189/ujps.2023.100302
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Unveiling the Significance of Commercial Withania somnifera L. Dunal Varieties (Ashwagandha): Authentication through Phytochemical Diversity and Bioactivities

Sarika Sharma , Shachi Singh ^*
Department of Botany, MMV, Banaras Hindu University, India

ABSTRACT

Withania somnifera L. Dunal, a member of Solanaceae family, is a wonder medicinal plant having diverse groups of phytochemicals related to medicinal properties. Withanolides, steroidal lactones are active components of this plant. However, phenolics and flavonoids have been noticed in various tissues. Although it's a rich source of active compound, variation does exist in chemical composition within varieties. Therefore, the present experiment was conducted to unveil this difference in some commercially available varieties of Ashwagandha. Varieties of W. somnifera, Pushti, Poshita, Pratap, Chetak, NIMTLI-118 and NIMTLI-101 were collected and analysed using different solvent extracts of roots, leaves and seeds. Total phenolics, total flavonoids, antioxidant (DPPH assay) and antibacterial activities (agar well diffusion method) were measured. Estimation of total phenolic and flavonoid was highest in roots of Poshita (11.15 mg/g GAE and 3.05 mg/g RE, respectively), in the leaves of Chetak (5.66 mg/g GAE and 7.92 mg/g RE, respectively) and the seeds of NIMTLI-101 variety (7.65 mg/g GAE and 7.34 mg/g RE, respectively). The antioxidant activity was found maximum in NIMTLI118 (66.92%), Chetak (28.84%) and NIMTLI101 (36.53%) in roots, leaves and seeds respectively. Antibacterial activities against B. subtilis and S. aureus subsp. aureus were found maximum in leaves of Pushti variety (2.30cm and 2.60cm zone of inhibition respectively). It could be concluded that, the results of the present study can be used for effective selection of best variety to be utilized for the commercial, industrial and medicinal purposes.

KEYWORDS
Withania somnifera, Phytochemicals, Withanolides, Antioxidant Activity, Antibacterial Activity

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Sarika Sharma , Shachi Singh , "Unveiling the Significance of Commercial Withania somnifera L. Dunal Varieties (Ashwagandha): Authentication through Phytochemical Diversity and Bioactivities," Universal Journal of Plant Science, Vol. 10, No. 3, pp. 62 - 72, 2023. DOI: 10.13189/ujps.2023.100302.

(b). APA Format:
Sarika Sharma , Shachi Singh (2023). Unveiling the Significance of Commercial Withania somnifera L. Dunal Varieties (Ashwagandha): Authentication through Phytochemical Diversity and Bioactivities. Universal Journal of Plant Science, 10(3), 62 - 72. DOI: 10.13189/ujps.2023.100302.