A study on Neuroprotective potential of in vitro and field tissues of Withania somnifera using Caenorhabditis elegans model
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2023-03
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Avinashilingam
Abstract
Withania somnifera is a prevalent medicinal herb used all over the world as a
domestic remedy for addressing several age-related ailments. The plant is also one of
32 medicinal plants that have been ranked as priority medicinal plants by the National
Medicinal Plant Board (NMPB). Ayurveda refers the field grown W. somnifera roots as
a Rasayana medication (Rejuvenator). It has been used as the major ingredient in a
variety of formulations to help slow down the aging process, cope with stress, and be
an excellent neuroprotectant. However, the quality and quantity of traditionally
cultivated plants present a significant obstacle to their utilization in herbal
formulations. This study aims to demonstrate that in vitro shoot tissues of W.
somnifera could be used as an alternative and be as bioactive as roots grown in the
field. The HPTLC quantification of major withanolides and GC-MS profiling of
metabolites revealed that the pharmacological actives of IS (in vitro shoot) showed the
overall similar metabolite profile as in FR (field grown roots). As measured by DPPH
radical scavenging activity, the antioxidant potential of in vitro shoots (IS) was also
higher than that of field grown tissues (FR & FS) and in vitro roots (IR). The animal
model study in Caenorhabditis elegans presented numerous lines of evidence
regarding the effectiveness of the IS on the health and life expectancy over the FR, IR
and FS. Along with this, the study compares the molecular level mechanisms
underlying the beneficial effects of FR, IR, FS and IS supplementation by using
gene-specific mutants. The efficacy of W. somnifera extracts to prevent α-synuclein
aggregation, its associated pathologies, and its capability for neuroprotection were
studied in Parkinson’s disease-modeled worms. The finding of this study highlighted
that IS is equally bioactive as traditionally used FR. Moreover, the IS extracts
efficiently prolongs the lifespan, heath span and stress resistance via insulin/insulin-
like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) signaling (IIS) and mitochondrial electron transport chain
complexes (mETC). The IS extract is more effectual for suppressing oxidative stress,
a remarkable neuroprotectant in Parkinson’s disease modeled worms. As the first
study to investigate the bioactivity of W. somnifera shoots cultivated in vitro, these
results could contribute to the scaling up of IS culture systems and in vitro shoot
tissues for treating neurological and age-related ailments, extending patients' lives,
and improving their quality of life.
Description
Keywords
Biotechnology