withaferin-a and Liver-Diseases

Withaferin A (WA) is a natural steroidal compound used in Ayurvedic medicine in India and elsewhere. Although WA was used as an anticancer reagent for decades, its role in the treatment of liver diseases has only recently been experimentally explored. Here, the effects of WA in the treatment of liver injury, systematic inflammation, and liver cancer are reviewed, and the toxicity and metabolism of WA as well as pharmacological potentials of other extracts from

Topics: Humans; Liver Diseases; Medicine, Ayurvedic; Withania; Withanolides

In recent years, cases of liver damage caused by ashwagandha herbal supplements have been reported from different parts of the world (Japan, Iceland, India, and the USA). Here, we describe the clinical phenotype of suspected ashwagandha-induced liver injury and the potential causative mechanism. The patient was admitted to the hospital because of jaundice. In the interview, it was reported that he had been taking ashwagandha for a year. Laboratory results showed an increase in total bilirubin, alanine transaminase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), (gamma-glutamyl transpherase (GGT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), total cholesterol, triglycerides, and ferritin. Based on clinical symptoms and additional tests, the patient was diagnosed with acute hepatitis and referred to a facility with a higher reference rate to exclude drug-induced liver injury. An R-value was assessed, indicative of hepatocellular injury. The result of the 24 h urine collection exceeded the upper limit of normal for copper excretion in urine twice. The clinical condition improved after intensive pharmacological treatment and four plasmapheresis treatments. This case is another showing the hepatotoxic potential of ashwagandha to cause cholestatic liver damage mixed with severe jaundice. In view of several documented cases of liver damage caused by ashwagandha and the unknown metabolic molecular mechanisms of substances contained in it, attention should be paid to patients reporting the use of these products in the past and presenting symptoms of liver damage.

Topics: Alanine Transaminase; Aspartate Aminotransferases; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury, Chronic; Humans; Jaundice; Liver; Liver Diseases; Male; Plant Extracts

The liver and kidney of rat underwent severe histopathological lesions when treated with a single bolus dose of carbendazim, a fungicide, particularly affecting the hepatocytes and the renal corpuscles, respectively. The effects appear to be manifestations of the microtubule-disrupting activity of carbendazim. Treatment of carbendazim-treated rats with the powder of tuberous root of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) for 48 days resulted in complete cure of these organs. The results indicate that Withania somnifera would be an effective curative for carbendazim-induced histopathological changes in the liver and kidney.

Topics: Animals; Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal; Benzimidazoles; Carbamates; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Fungicides, Industrial; Kidney; Kidney Diseases; Liver; Liver Diseases; Male; Medicine, Ayurvedic; Plant Extracts; Plant Roots; Rats; Rats, Wistar; Withania

Protective effect of Withaferin-'A' against CCl4 induced hepatotoxicity has been assessed and the compound at 10 mg/kg dose was found to possess significant protective effect. A comparison of this protective effect with that of hydrocortisone showed it to be as effective as hydrocortisone dose per dose.

Topics: Alkaline Phosphatase; Animals; Blood Proteins; Carbon Tetrachloride; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury; Drug Interactions; Ergosterol; Female; Hydrocortisone; Liver; Liver Diseases; Male; Rats; Withanolides