Phytochemical variability in commercial herbal products and preparations of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha)

摘要

Withania somnifera (Hindi - Ashwagandha, English - winter cherry) is used in Ayurvedic formulations for a variety of health-promoting effects. Several mono- and poly-herbal products commercially available in the Indian market were quantitatively analysed for a number of chemical constituents. The results. revealed wide variations in the content of all seven constituents tested. More than 70-fold variation in the daily intake of withaferin A (the main active constituent of Ashwagandha) was found in the products. The study thus emphasizes the need for stringent phytochemical standardization of herbal products.