Abstract

POTENTIAL OF GLYCOWITHANOLIDES FROM WITHANIA SOMNIFERA (ASHWAGANDHA) AS THERAPEUTIC AGENTS FOR THE TREATMENT OF ALZHEIMER'S DISEASE

Tushar Kanti Das, Mas RW Abdul Hamid, Tuhin Das*, Kaneez Fatima Shad*

Abstract

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is the most common cause of dementia. As of 2014, there were an estimated nearly 36 million people have Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia worldwide. This number will increase to an estimated 75.6 million in 2030, and 135.5 million in 2050. Today, someone develops AD every 67 seconds. By 2050, one new case of AD is expected to develop every 33 seconds in United States. Already 62% of people with dementia live in developing countries, but by 2050 this will rise to 71%. Currently FDA approved drugs such as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (AChEI): Donepezil, Rivastigmine and Galantamine and N-methyl-daspartate (NMDA) antagonist: Memantine are prescribed for the treatment of AD. Meanwhile less than 20% of AD patients are responding moderately to these drugs with an average benefit for six to twelve months, often with serious side effects. Therefore there is an urgent need to develop and evaluate more effective pharmacological interventions with fewer side effects. Plant Withania somnifera which is used as herb in Ayurvedic medicine contain steroidal lactones glycowithanolides (Withaferin A, Withasomniferin-A) which has potential as therapeutic agent for AD. In this review, we compare that immunomodulatory, antioxidative, anticholinesterase and antiinflammatory properties of glycowithanolides with the market available drugs.

Keywords: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor; N-methyl-daspartate antagonist; Withania somnifera; Withaferin A; Withasomniferin A; Alzheimer’s disease.