Effect of Ashwagandha Withanolides on Muscle Cell Differentiation.

Abstract

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is used in Indian traditional medicine, Ayurveda, and is believed to have a variety of health-promoting effects. The molecular mechanisms and pathways underlying these effects have not yet been sufficiently explored. In this study, we investigated the effect of Ashwagandha extracts and their major withanolides (withaferin A and withanone) on muscle cell differentiation using C2C12 myoblasts. We found that withaferin A and withanone and Ashwagandha extracts possessing different ratios of these active ingredients have different effects on the differentiation of C2C12. Withanone and withanone-rich extracts caused stronger differentiation of myoblasts to myotubes, deaggregation of heat- and metal-stress-induced aggregated proteins, and activation of hypoxia and autophagy pathways. Of note, the Parkinson's disease model of Drosophila that possess a neuromuscular disorder showed improvement in their flight and climbing activity, suggesting the potential of Ashwagandha withanolides for the management of muscle repair and activity.

• Authors: Jia Wang, Huayue Zhang, Ashish Kaul, Kejuan Li, Didik Priyandoko, Sunil C Kaul, Renu Wadhwa
• Journal: Biomolecules (Biomolecules) Vol. 11 Issue 10 (10 04 2021) ISSN: 2218-273X [Electronic] Switzerland
• PMID: 34680087 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Plant Extracts
• Withanolides
• withanone
• withaferin A
• Ashwagandha

Topics

• Animals
• Cell Differentiation (drug effects)
• Cell Line
• Humans
• Medicine, Ayurvedic (trends)
• Mice
• Muscle Cells (drug effects)
• Parkinson Disease (drug therapy, pathology)
• Plant Extracts (chemistry, pharmacology)
• Withanolides (chemistry, pharmacology)