Withania somnifera confirmed to have health benefits

High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis has identified high catechin concentrations in Withania somnifera (ashwagandha).

In a study published by BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, scientists aimed to characterise the phenolic acids, flavonoids and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) scavenging activities in the plant.

W.somnifera fruits, roots and leaves are important medically to the treatment of many diseases and have been found to have regenerative properties on brain-cell synapses in laboratory studies.

DPPH radical scavenging activities were determined by spectrophotometric methods and phenolic acid profiles were determined by HPLC methods.

Using the process, eight polyphenols were identified as parts of the plant, with catechin found in the highest concentration.

"The results indicating that W.somnifera is a plant with strong therapeutic properties thus further supporting its traditional claims. All major parts of W.somnifera such as the roots, fruits and leaves provide potential benefits for human health," the scientists claimed in the report.

W.somnifera leaves were found to contain the highest levels of catechin with strong antioxidant properties.