Cytotoxic Withanolides from the Roots of Indian Ginseng (Withania somnifera)

Withania somnifera, commonly known as “Indian ginseng” or “ashwagandha”, is popular as a functional food because of its diverse purported therapeutic efficacies including invigorating, improvement of cognitive ability, and stress release activities. Chemical investigation of the MeOH extract of W. somnifera roots combined with LC/MS-based analysis resulted in the identification of six new withanolides, withasilolides A–F (1–6), as well as seven...