Mechanisms of Anti-Tumor Activity of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)

Abstract

Increasing herbal formulations have been used to treat several diseases including cancer. W. somnifera (Ashwagandha) is one such plant the extracts of which have been tested against a number of ailments including cancer, which remains as one of the most dreadful diseases on the globe. The ever-increasing number of cancer related mortality demands the development of novel chemopreventive agents with minimum side effects. Different compounds isolated from various parts of the plant like root, stem, and leaves have been reported to display significant anti-cancerous and immunomodulating properties and thus can be used alone or in combination with other chemotherapeutic drugs for cancer treatment. Through this review, we highlight the importance of W. somnifera in countering the potential oncogenic signaling mediators that are modulated by active constituents of W. somnifera in a variety of cancer types. Further, we hope that active constituents of W. somnifera will be tested in clinical trials so that they can be used as an important adjuvant in the near future for the effective treatment of cancer.

Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge the support from the Central University of Punjab for providing the necessary infrastructure.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they do not have any conflict of interest.

Compliance with Ethical Standards

Not applicable.

Additional information

Funding

VM is thankful to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) New Delhi for providing him the fellowship (No 3/1/3/JRF-2016/LS/HRD).