Withania coagulans: a comprehensive exploration of its botanical, phytochemical, and pharmacological properties

Withania coagulans Dunal, also known as “Indian cheese maker”, is a medicinal plant that is widely used in traditional South Asian medicine. This review illustrates a critical and comprehensive synthesis of the botanical description, phytochemistry, and pharmacological opportunities of W. coagulans. The intent was to assess W. coagulans potential for therapeutic use, focusing on safety and current knowledge gaps. Phytochemistry reports a diverse profile of withanolides, flavonoids, alkaloids, tannins, and saponins that account for the reported varied bioactivity including antidiabetic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, hepatoprotective, hypolipidemic, neuroprotective, and antioxidant activities. Mechanistic studies reported various activities modulation through reported pathways such as NF-κB, MAPKs and AMPK pathways, with activity largely determined using in vitro and animal studies. While clinical studies are limited, translational potential is inhibited by identified issues such as, but not limited to, poor bioavailability and limited toxicity characterization. However, advancements in several formulations’ strategies including nanoformulations can help to bolster the pharmacokinetics parameters. This review also responded to analytical methodology for compound identification, also highlighting challenges associated with regulation and pharmaceutical development. Overall, W. coagulans may potentially serve as a phytopharmaceutical; nonetheless, as a priority, research studies that adhere to standardized clinical trials and systematic review will be beneficial for clinical use with evidence-based therapeutic systems.