Current Status of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal: An Endangered Medicinal Plant from Himalaya

Abstract

Withania somnifera is highly medicinal plant species of Pakistan floristically placed in the Western Himalayan Province, Himalaya Range of Azad Jammu and Kashmir and in the Soon valley (Salt Range) of Punjab Pakistan. It grows in high altitude of 5500 feet in the Himalayas. Its English name is Winter Cherry and its Urdu name is Asghand/Kutilal. It is the low lying shrub of about 1.50 m in height with erect branching. It grows in dry arid regions of Pakistan, India, China and Bangladesh. Its flowers are bisexual, small, axillary, greenish, solitary and few-flowered cymes. Chemical analysis of Ashwagandha showed that it has alkaloids and steroidal lactones (withanolides) as the main chemical constituent. W. somnifera has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List. However, in Pakistan, W. somnifera is falling under criteria A of endangered category. Asghand (W. somnifera) acquires much therapeutic potential which include sedative, narcotic, thyroid stimulation, anti-inflamma-tory, hypnotic, anti-stress, general tonic, diuretic, antimicrobial, and antitu-mor activities. There are number of threats responsible for the decrease of W. somnifera number in western Himalayan range and salt range of Punjab Pa-kistan which may include deforestation over exploitation and climatic changes. Conservation strategies need to be adopted for improving the population pool of W. somnifera. There is also the dire need to conserve this important medicinal plant species with some standard biotechnological approaches and conservation strategies in future.

Full text

American Journal of Plant Sciences, 2017, 8, 1159-1169
http://www.scirp.org/journal/ajps
ISSN Online: 2158-2750
ISSN Print: 2158-2742
DOI: 10.4236/ajps.2017.85076 April 30, 2017
Current Status of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal:
An Endangered Medicinal Plant from Himalaya
Sumaira Aslam1, Naveed Iqbal Raja1, Mubashir Hussain1*, Muhammad Iqbal1, Muhammad Ejaz1,
Danish Ashfaq2, Hira Fatima3, Muhammad Ali Shah4, Abd-Ur-Rehman1, Maria Ehsan1
1Department of Botany, PMAS Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
2Department of Botany, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, Pakistan
3Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lahore, Sargodha, Pakistan
4Department of Biotechnology, University of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Muzaffarabad, Pakistan
Abstract
Withania somnifera
is highly medicinal plant species of Pakistan floristically
placed in the Western Himalayan Province, Himalaya Range of Azad Jammu
and Kashmir and in the Soon valley (Salt Range) of Punjab Pakistan. It grows
in high altitude of 5500 feet in the Himalayas.
Its English name is Winter
Cherry and its Urdu name is Asghand/Kutilal. It is the
low lying shrub of
about 1.50 m in height with erect branching. It grows in dry arid regions of
Pakistan, India, China and Bangladesh. Its flowers are bisexual, small, axill
ary,
greenish, solitary and few-
flowered cymes. Chemical analysis of Ashwagandha
showed that it has alkaloids and steroidal lactones (withanolides) as the
main
chemical constituent.
W. somnifera
has not yet been assessed for the IUCN
Red List. However, in Pakistan,
W. somnifera
is falling under criteria A of e
n-
dangered category.
Asghand
(
W. somnifera
) acquires much therapeutic p
o-
tential which include sedative, narcotic, thyroid stimulation, anti-inflamma
-
tory, hypnotic, anti-stress, general tonic, diuretic, antimicrobial, and antit
u-
mor activities. There are number of threats responsible for the decrease of
W.
somnifera
number in western Himalayan range and salt range of Punjab P
a-
kistan which may include deforestation over exploitation and cli
matic
changes. Conservation strategies need to be adopted for improving the pop
u-
lation pool of
W. somnifera
. There is also the dire need to conserve this i
m-
portant medicinal plant species with some standard biotechnological approac
h-
es and conservation strategies in future.
Keywords
Withania somnifera
, Endangered, Antimicrobial, Antitumor, Conservation
How to cite this paper:
Aslam, S.,
Raja,
N.I.,
Hussain, M., Iqbal, M., Ejaz, M., Ash
faq,
D.,
Fatima, H., Shah, M.A., Abd-Ur-Rehman
a
nd Ehsan, M. (2017) Current Status of
Wi
-
thania somnifera
(L.) Dunal: An Endan
gered
Medicinal Plant
from Himalaya.
American
Journal of Plant Sciences
,
8
, 1159-1169.
https://doi.org/10.4236/ajps.2017.85076
Received:
March 18, 2017
Accepted:
April 27, 2017
Published:
April 30, 2017
Copyright © 201
7 by authors and
Scientific
Research Publishing Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative
Commons Attribution
International
License (CC BY
4.0).
http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Open Access

S. Aslam et al.
1160
1. Introduction
It is commonly recognized that the pace of plant extinction has been reached to
one species per day as a consequence of anthropogenic activities and this decline
rate is believed to be 1000 - 10,000 times faster than that would naturally occur
[1] [2] and if this decline remains constant, 60,000 - 100,000 plant species may
disappear in future [2] [3]. Major reason behind the current issue is the habitat
loss by various anthropogenic activities, resulting in the fragmentation, altera-
tion, and destruction of habitats. Furthermore, climate change is another major
factor in this connection [4].
According to IUCN Red list, categories and criteria, unfortunately, insufficient
work has been done on threatened plants of Pakistan and extremely little bit in-
formation is available on this subject [5]. The moist temperate in Himalaya regions
of Pakistan acquires much attention for the conservation of environment as well as
the sustainable use of all the natural resources. The decline in forest cover and sig-
nificant changes in community structure are responsible for the decline of indi-
genous medicinal flora together with their traditional knowledge [6].
In the present study, distribution, morphology, chemical composition, medi-
cinal properties, major threats, conservation status, and conservation strategies
of the important endangered medicinal plant
W. somnifera
were discussed. Ex-
tensive grazing, deforestation and over-exploitation have caused forest degrada-
tion, habitat fragmentation and species extinction [7]. At high altitudes of Hi-
malaya where possible availability of cultivated land is fairly less, so development
of botanical gardens as well as promotion of kitchen garden or home gardens
may be regarded as the conservation strategy for sustainable utilization of medi-
cinal plants. The people of the native area mainly rely on the plant diversity for
numerous purposes and ultimately lead plants to extinction [8]. Damages to the
plants are smuggling of trees and shrubs; careless and illicit cutting and over-
grazing, loss of habitat, converting the plan slopes in the forests for cultivation
purposes also put forth vast stress on the vegetation and these results in degra-
dation to the environment [9] [10].
2. Distribution of W. somnifera
W. somnifera
(Dunal) is member of family Solanaceae. Its English name is Win-
ter Cherry and its Urdu name is Asghand/Kutilal [6]. This plant is xerophytic in
nature, distributed in the drier parts of Pakistan, Afghanistan, India, Sri Lanka,
and in the Mediterranean regions as shown in Figure 1. In Pakistan, it is found
in Nandiar Khuwar, District Battagram of Western Himalayan Province [6] and
in regions of Azad Jammu and Kashmir [11].
W. somnifera
is also associated
with Knotti Garden sites of Soon valley and Anga, Khabeki and (Salt Range) of
Punjab Pakistan [12] [13] [14].
3. Habitat
The plant is distributed in dry areas of sub-tropics and is low lying shrub of 1.50 m
height possessed erect branching. It also grows in dry arid areas of India, Pakistan,

S. Aslam et al.
1161
Figure 1. Distribution of
W. somnifera
(Yellow dots are showing plant distribution).
(a) (b)
Figure 2. (a)
W. somnifera
plant; (b)
W. somnifera
fruits.
China and Bangladesh. It is distributed in the base of hills in
broad-leaved and
Pinus roxburghii
forests [6].
4. Morphological Description
W. somnifera
Dunal (
Synon. Physalis flexuosa L.;
Physalis somnifera L).
is an
erect, stellate-tomentose, grayish, under shrub with 30 - 75 cm in height having
long tuberous roots (Figure 2(a)). Leaves are sub-opposite, broadly ovate to ob-
long, alternate, petiolate, entire and sub-acute with lamina (5 - 10 × 2.5 - 7) cm.
Flowers are bisexual, greenish, small, solitary, axillary, or in few-flowered cymes.
The calyx is gamosepalous possesses five 3 - 5 mm lobes, inflated and acrescent
in a fruit. The corolla is greenish-yellow of five 5 - 8 mm lobes and campanulate.
Stamens are five numbers. The ovary is glabrous, globose and ovoid containing
many ovules. The filiform style as well as 2-lobed stigma, fruit is a globose/berry,
orange-red in color when ripen and covered in the enlarged calyx (Figure 2(b)).
Seeds are many, discoid, yellow and reniform [15] [16] [17].
5. Chemical Constituents
Chemical analysis of Ashwagandha showed that it has alkaloids and steroidal
lactones (withanolides) as its main constituents (Figures 3(a)-(c)). Several si-

S. Aslam et al.
1162
Figure 3. The basic structure of (a) Withanolide (b) Withaferin A and (c) Withanolide A [18].
toindosides, thirty five withanolides and twelve alkaloids from
W. somnifera
plant have been isolated and well-studied. Among all these withanine is the ma-
jor constituent. The withanolides contains C-28 steroidal nucleus along with C-9
side chain and with a six membered lactone ring [19]. Significant Ashwaganda’s
pharmacological activity has been characterized by the two main withanolides,
withaferin A and withanolide D. More chemical analysis has showed the pres-
ence of Alkaloids like Anaferine, Anahygrine, Beta-Sisterol, Chlorogenic acid
(found in leaf only), Cysteine (found in fruit), Iron, Cuscohygrine, Pseudotro-
pine, Somniferinine, Scopoletin, Tropanol, Somniferiene, Withananine, Witha-
nine and Withanolides A-Y Steroidal lactones [20] [21].
6. Importance of W. somnifera
6.1. Source of Fuel and Fodder
The local people use this plant species as source of fuel, for cooking and heating
during winter as they lack the natural gas facility. It is also widely used as a fod-
der plant [11].
6.2. Medicinal Uses
Medicinal plants are nature gift for humanity to treat various human ailments.
Among them,
W. somnifera
possess various biological properties.
W. somnifera
possess high anti-inflammatory activity [22]. Anti-inflammatory activity has
been associated due to biologically active steroids. Withaferin A is a chief com-
ponent of those steroids. Its effectiveness is comparable to hydrocortisone so-
dium succinate dose [23]. The potential chemical constituents of
W. somnifera
are effective against pathogenic bacteria, fungi and viruses [23] [24]. Asghand
revealed a considerable modulation of immune reactivity in model animals. Wi-
thanolide E specifically affect on T lymphocytes only while Withaferin A poten-
tially affects both B as well as T lymphocytes [25] [26] [27] [28]. Various studies
demonstrated ashwagandha proved to be effective in treatment of osteoarthritis
[29], inflammation [30] [31] [32] as well as tardive dyskinesia [33]. Studies also
showed ashwagandha to be a potent antimicrobial agent, along with antifungal

S. Aslam et al.
1163
activity [34] [35] and moderate antibacterial activity against
Pseudomonas aeru-
ginosa
and
Staphyloccus aureus
[36]. Ashwagandha also revealed an antidepres-
sant effect analogous to that persuaded by imipramine in forced swim-induced
“learned helplessness” and “behavioral despair” tests. Other parallel studies va-
lidate these results, lending support to the utilization of ashwagandha as a potent
anti-stress adaptogen [37] [38].
W. somnifera
though possess an advantage over
Panax ginseng
because it does not results in ginseng-abuse syndrome, a condi-
tion recognized by insomnia, high blood pressure, water retention and muscle
tension [39].
W. somnifera
may also enhance thyroid activity ultimately effects
on cellular antioxidant systems. These results specify ashwaganda as a valuable
plant in treatment of hypothyroidism [40]. Hypo-cholesterolemic, hypoglycem-
ic, and diuretic effects of ashwagandha roots were evaluated in human subjects.
Considerable increases in urine volume, urine sodium, decreases in serum cho-
lesterol as well as triglycerides and low-density lipoproteins were moreover seen
[41]. Ashwagandha revealed stimulatory effects, both
in vitro
in addition to
in
vivo
on the production of cytotoxic T lymphocytes and depicted the potential to
suppress tumor growth [42]. The chemo-preventive activity of plant is owing to
the antioxidant or free radical scavenging action of the extract [43].
7. Conservation Status
W. somnifera
has not yet been assessed for the IUCN Red List. However, Siddi-
que
et al.
[44] and Sharma
et al.
[45] declared
W. somnifera
as endangered and
rare plant. In Pakistan,
W. somnifera
is falling in criteria A of endangered cate-
gory [6]. So there is need to conserve this species like highly medicinal wild plant
species [46] and economically important plants
Citrus reticulata
[47].
8. Threats towards Extinction of W. somnifera
The various threats are facing by
W. somnifera
which leads towards the extinc-
tion of this highly medicinal species. Increase in human population and constant
unplanned over exploitation of this plant for medicinal, firewood and fodder
purposes has resulted damage into the Withania species.
8.1. Deforestation
Deforestation in the salt valley and Himalayas is mainly due to the demographic
pressure and many further related effects like livestock population increase in
demand of land for cultivation, and utilization of the forests to meet growing
needs for fuel as well as fodder. Conversely, social issues such as perceptions, so-
cial relationships together with the natural resources as seen by various social
groups, concerns of access to as well as control over natural resources, and mat-
ters of power relative to deforestation, have hardly ever been discussed in litera-
ture as probable driving forces to deforestation.
8.2. Improper Collection and over Exploitation
In Pakistan medicinal plants are mostly collected from the wild areas. Unfortu-

S. Aslam et al.
1164
nately local collectors are unaware about the best plant collection procedures. It
was observed that commercial gatherers collect medicinal plants in large
amounts from remote areas of the Himalayan range. This activity is likely
grounds in rapid depletion of medicinal plant resources in the area. Similar ac-
tivities have been reported in other areas such as Swat [48] whereas Choudhry
et
al.
[49] reported that five hundred local families are engaged in medicinal plant
collection and that they annually collected 5000 tons of medicinal plants. Same is
the case with
W. somnifera
and its population size has been lessened up to 67%
owing to loss of habitat by local people and its improper medicinal collection
[6].
8.3. Climatic Changes
During last many years, less rain fall and large scale deforestation in the Hima-
layan range has rigorously changed the environment owing to which lush green
slopes have been transformed to barren land [12]. Similar to global warming,
this is causing progressive rise in temperature resulting in loss of many impor-
tant medicinal plants such as Withania
species [50].
9. Conservation Strategies
W. somnifera
is a highly important medicinal plant and used globally in phar-
maceutical industry. Withania propagates vegetative in its natural state, but this
propagation rate is much slow to meet demand of high quality planting material
for commercial cultivation [51]. The
W. somnifera
plant is a set and valuable
resource that requires wise, efficient as well as sustainable management and
conservation strategies. Therefore, instant conservation measures as projected
below are immediately necessary in order to protect the plant from extinction.
The conservation strategies should be adopted for the conservation of highly
medicinal plants [52] [53].
Biotechnological techniques can help us to conserve this miracle plant. A swift
and extremely effective method is the micropropagation method for elite selec-
tion of Withania
by auxiliary branching method utilizing shoot tip as explants
was standardized by [51]. Shoot cultures were initiated on MS medium contain-
ing BA (0.5 - 2.0 mg/L) with NAA (0.2 - 0.5 mg/L) containing 3% commercial
sucrose and 0.8% agar. This fast and competent regeneration protocol could be
used for large production of selected cultivated varieties at commercial scale.
This direct regeneration method which lessens genetic flux that is normally
come across during callus mediated regeneration will assist in production of
large number of selected superior chemo types ashwagandha which has high-
quality demand in the present drug market. Iqbal
et al.
[54] established a proto-
col for synthetic seed production by using artificial coating material (sodium al-
ginate) and complexing agent (calcium chloride) through somatic embryogene-
sis. This synthetic seed technology can also be very helpful for medicinal plants
such as Withania species. Siddique
et al.
[44] have reported an easy and efficient
protocol for micropropogation of the endangered medicinal plant
W. somnifera
.

S. Aslam et al.
1165
This protocol can be used for booming and rapid technique that can be utilized
for ex-situ conservation. The implementation of these protocols can aid to dimi-
nish the pressure on wild populations and contribute toward the conservation of
the valuable plant
W. somnifera
.
It is anticipated that a standard protocol to persuade multiple shoots in cul-
tures may offer more homogenous source of this important medicinal plant. Si-
milarly a mass awareness campaign must be launched on both governmental as
well as community level in order to endorse consciousness among the people
about the importance of plants and conservation of the flora. Moreover, proper
documentation and conservation of indigenous knowledge requires to be done.
Appropriate training of the local communities regarding the conservation and
sustainable use of flora needs to be given. Anthropogenic impacts like deforesta-
tion and overgrazing should be reduced. These species should also be grown in
botanical gardens. Permanent monitoring programs should be developed. So
there is the urgent need to conserve this plant species like other threatened plant
species [55] [56] [57] [58] [59].
10. Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that low rain fall, over grazing,
population pressure, natural and accidental fires, soil aridity, deforestation, and
over exploitation of medicinal plants are the major threats to biodiversity in the
Himalayan and salt range. If the local people were not provided exchange of
these problems, then the triumphing disturbances will rapidly eliminate the re-
maining patches of vegetation, predominantly medicinal flora of this biodiversi-
ty, rich areas including
W. somnifera.
This review has been compiled to high-
light ample information about the status of
W. somnifera
, major threats to Hi-
malayan biodiversity and conservation strategies to maintain population of im-
portant medicinal plants such as
W. somnifera
. Instantaneous and complete
protection, effective community participation, efficient recovery system and
biotechnological approaches for long term conservation are essential for sus-
tainable use of
W. somnifera
in future.
Conflict of Interest Statement
We declare that we have no conflict of interest.
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