Abstract

PERSISTENT MANAGEMENT OF PARKINSON’S DISEASE WITH WITHANIA SOMNIFERA: AN OUTLOOK

Manoj Kumar Katual* and S. L. Harikumar

ABSTRACT

This present review tries to enlighten on the use of some Indian ancient herbs in the chronic treatment of world‘s 2nd largest neurological disorders with optimum safety and reduced unwanted effects. Parkinson‘s Disease (PD) or well known as diskinensia is a chronic and progressive movement disorder that symptoms continue and worsen over time. It primarily affects neurons in the area of the brain called the substantia-nigra. Till date, after the advancements of medicinal research also the successful treatment is not feasible for PD. The prior art of PD involves many unsolved angles of its treatment. From the treasure of Nature, many ethinic herbs have proven its potential benefit for the neuro-behavioural dysfunctions. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), is one of them which also known as Indian ginseng and as Indian Winter Cherry, an important ancient plant, the roots of which have been employed in Indian traditional systems of medicine, Ayurveda as a Rasayana. It is used for various kinds of disease processes and especially as a nervine tonic. Clinical trials and research support the use of ashwagandha for anxiety, cognitive and neurological disorders, inflammation and Parkinson's disease. Pharmacological activity has been attributed to main withanolides, withaferin A and withanolide D Sitoindosides. Withaferin-A is therapeutically active withanolide reported to be present in leaves. In many scientific studies its adaptogenic/ anti-stress activities were found. It has a cognition promoting effect and was useful in children with memory deficit and in old age people loss of memory. It is also found very useful in other neurodegenerative diseases such as Huntington's and Alzheimer‘s diseases. Studies are going on to prove its clinical efficacy in, neuronal disorders.

Keywords: Parkinson‘s disease, Indian winter cherry, withanolide, nervine tonic, diskinensia. Indian Ginseng.