European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

In the current study, we evaluate the antibacterial study of Ashwagandha [Withania somnifera L. (Solanaceae; root and leaves), which is an traditional medicinal plant which is used in the treatment of the pathogenic bacteria. to possess strong antibacterial activity against a range of bacteria, as revealed by in vitro Agar Well Diffusion Method, we have used Aqueous as well as alcoholic extracts of the plant (root as well as leaves) were found. The methanolic extract was further sub-fractionated using various solvents and the butanolic sub-fraction was found to possess maximum inhibitory activity against a spectrum of bacteria including Salmonella typhimurium. Moreover, in contrast to the synthetic antibiotic (viz. chloramphenicol), these extracts did not induce lyses on incubation with human erythrocytes, advocating their safety to the living cells. Finally, the antibacterial efficacy of the extracts isolated from plant (both root and leaves) was determined against experimental salmonellosis. Oral administration of the aqueous extracts successfully obliterated salmonella infection which also revealed by increased survival rate as well as less bacterial load in various vital organs of the treated animals.
Key word: Withania somnifera L., Antimicrobial, Antioxidant