Anti-proliferative activity of Withania Somnifera

The effect of hydro-alcoholic extract from Withania somnifera roots was studied on cell proliferation and apoptosis in Vero cells. Cell cytotoxicity assay using MTT dye reduction test found that there was increase in cell proliferation inhibition in a dose dependent manner. Higher the dose of the extract, higher was the cell proliferation inhibition. Fluorescent microscopy unraveled uniformly green appearance of normal cells and apoptotic cells stained orange with condensed chromatin, fragmented nuclei and presence of apoptotic bodies. The current work concluded that the extract of Withania somnifera plant roots has cytotoxic effect on Vero cells, possibly by causing inhibition of cell proliferation through necrotizing effects and, but not necessarily, apoptosis. This study poses a platform for future investigations of Withania extract regarding its effects on tumour and normal cells using both in vivo and in vitro conditions for the exploitation of its effective remedy against various cancer conditions.