Abstract
Methanolic extract obtained from the dried leaves of Withania Somnifera was subjected to column chromatography leading to the isolation of two withanolides. Their structures were elucidated using 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy. The isolated withanolides were determined to be 5α, 17β-dihydroxy-6α, 7β-epoxy-1-oxo-witha-2, 24-dienolide (1) and 4, 5, 6, 15-tetrahydroxy-1-oxo-witha-7-enolide (2). The bioassay of the methanolic extracts showed activity against the fungal pathogens, Fusarium moniliforme, Fusarium graminearum, Colletotrichum lindemuthianum and Pythium spp. The extract was also active against bacterial pathogens, Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli and Pseudomonas syringae pv. phaseolicola. The withanolides did not show any bioactivity indicating that they are either active only synergistically with other compounds within the extracts or there are other active compounds in the extract. Key words: Withania somnifera, withanolides, methanolic extract, antifungal, antibacterial.
Highlights
Withania somnifera, known commonly as ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry or winter cherry (English), is a plant in the genus solanaceae or nightshade family
The major chemical compounds reported from W. somnifera are withanolides (Misra et al, 2007)
The compounds isolated from W. somnifera, 5α, 17βdihydroxy-6α,7β-epoxy-1-oxo-witha-2,24-dienolide(1) was isolated for the first time from the leaves, since it was first isolated from the berries of the plant (Lal et al, 2006)
Summary
Known commonly as ashwagandha (in India), Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry or winter cherry (English), is a plant in the genus solanaceae or nightshade family. This species is a short shrub growing 1 to 2 m tall. It is the most common and widespread species in the genus and occurs naturally, mainly in the drier regions, from the Mediterranean through tropical Africa to South Africa It is grown in India and elsewhere as a medicinal crop plant, mainly for its fleshy roots and is the main herb used in Ayurvedic medicine (Rani et al., 2012).It occurs naturally in East and Central Africa. The major chemical compounds reported from W. somnifera are withanolides (Misra et al, 2007). Numerous studies have been done and many compounds are isolated from the leaves, roots and berries of W. somnifera, withanolides, notably withaferin A, 27-hydroxy
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