This document discusses the nervous system drug Aswagandha (Withania somnifera). It describes the plant's cultivation, morphological characteristics of the root including color and size, and chemical constituents including steroidal alkaloids and lactones. The summary also notes that Aswagandha has sedative, immune-modulating, and anti-stress effects and is used to treat rheumatism, gout, and skin diseases.

1. Drugs acting on Nervous
System
Aswagandha

2. Name : R.D.L.P.Christian
Designation : Lecturer in pharmacy
Branch : Pharmacy
Institute : GPW, Srikakulam
Year : I year
Subject : Pharmacognosy
Subject Code : PH-103
Topic : Drugs acting on Nervous System
Sub-Topic : Withania
Duration : 50 min.
Teaching Aids : PPT, Photographs
DEPARTMENT OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION
ANDHRA PRADESH

3. Recap
In the previous lesson we learnt about
CNS drug – ACONITE
Its Macroscopical characters
Active Constituents
Uses, etc.,

4. Objectives
On completion of this lesson, you would be able to
learn about
• The monograph of the CNS Drug
Aswagandha

5. Withania somnifera – Plant and roots
Fig.32.1

6. Syn. : Withania root
• Biological Source :
Dried roots & stem bases of
Withania somnifera
Family : Solanaceae
• Geographical Source :
Congo, South Africa, Egypt
Jordan, Pakistan
In India it is found in M.P., U.P.,
Punjab, Gujarat and Rajasthan
Fig.32.2
Aswagandha

7. Cultivation, Collection and Preparation
• Seeds are sown in June - July
• 4 - 5 Kg Seeds are required per hectare
• Plants bear fruits and flowers in January
• Harvesting lasts upto March
• In India mainly cultivated in M.P

8. Morphological Characters
ROOT
• Size : Length 10 -17 mm
Width 6-12 mm
• Shape : Conical or
cylindrical, straight
and unbranched
• Fracture : Smooth and
powdery
Fig.32.3

9. Morphological Characters
ROOT
• Colour : Grayish yellow
• Odour : Faintly pungent and charasteric
• Taste : Mucilagenous, acrid and bitter
• Extra features : Centre of the root is creamy and
consists of soft, solid mass with
scattered pores

10. Chemical Constituents
Steroidal alkaloids:
• Anaferin
• Withanine
• Tropine
• Anahygrine
• Cuscohygrine
• Choline
Fig.32.4

11. Chemical Constituents
Steroidal Lactones:
• Withanolides
• Withaferine
• Withaferin A
• Withanone

12. Chemical Tests
1. Dil. KMnO4 + Drop of aqueous extract
Decolourisation of KMnO4 solution
2. Aqueous extract + FeCl3 (5%)
No darkening

13. Uses
• Sedative and Hypnotic
• Hypotensive, Respiratory stimulant
action along with Bradycardia
• Immuno-modulatory agent and having
anti-stress activity Fig.32.5

14. Uses
• Used in the treatment of Rheumatism, Gout and Skin
diseases
• Widely used as sex-stimulant
• Strength and vigor promoting drug especially in geriatric
case
• Withaferin, a steroid lactone shows anti-tumour activity

15. Allied Drugs & Adulterants
• Allied drug : Withania coagulanse
• Adulterant : Wild ashwagandha

16. Summary
• In this class we discussed about the CNS plant drug
WITHANIA
• Withania contains Steroidal alkaloids and steroid
lactones which are having a variety of activities

17. Quiz
1. Withania can be used as a
a) Sedative & Hypnotic
b) Sex-stimulant
c) Immuno-modulatory agent
d) All the above

18. 2. The plant part that is useful in Withania is
a) Leaves
b) Flowers
c) Roots
d) None of the above
Quiz

19. Frequently Asked Questions
1. Write the Botanical Source and Morphological
characters of Ashwagandha
2. Write the Chemical Constituents and Uses of
Ashwagandha