Medicinal Uses of Chemical Extracts from Withania somnifera and Its Antimicrobial Activity: A Mini-Review

Withania somnifera is an important medicinal plant used in Pakistan from the old time by the herbalists in making different medicines. The history of this plant comes from Unani and Ayurvedic system. Ethnopharmacological and chemical research on Withania somnifera proves that plant extracts have a wide range of applications. The Withania somnifera mostly utilized for its anti-inflammatory effect, anti-cancer, antibacterial, antifungal, cardiovascular effects and for various other activities as well.  Its chemical constituents also showed an awesome antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli, Pesudomanas fluorescens, Bacillus stubtilis, Staphylococcus aureus, Xanthomonas axonopodis and Puccinia malvacearum. Still, a well conducted biological research for several applications of this plant is required. The variability in chemistry of this plant seems important, so future studies and research on the pharmacological activities of these plant extracts should provide more chemical profile which will increase their validity