Phyto physico-chemical profile of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal)

Introduction: The present article deals with study of phytochemical analysis of Withania somnifera Dunal roots. Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera Dunal - Solanaceae), The use of Ashwagandha (WS) is increasing due to a number of chemical constituents present in are found useful for promotion of health. Important bio-active constituents of Ashwagandha root powder are alkaloids, tannins and flavonoid and phenolic compound helps to promote the health benefits. Objective: Evolution of Physico- chemical and phyto chemical analysis of Ashwagandha (WS) powder. Materials and methods: The current investigation deals with extraction and detection or screening of active phytochemical compounds from different extracts of Withania somnifera root. Pharmacognostic studies, Physico-chemical studies, Preliminary phytochemical studies and HPTLC was carried out. Result and conclusion: The result drown were 2% foreign mater was determined. Loss on drying 1.6%, total ash obtained was 9%, acid insoluble ash was 1% and water soluble extractive was 12% and Alcohol soluble extractive was 13%. The phytochemical investigation revealed the presence of various phytochemical constituents such as alkaloids, flavonoids, carbohydrate, Steroids and Saponin Glycoside. HPTLC chromatograms of methanol extracts obtained from root of Withania somnifera revealed that higher quality of with a nolides was present. Hence the root of Withania somnifera was considered to mostly prefer for commercial preparation of drugs.