Phytochemical Profiling for Leaf, Stem, Roots, and Seeds of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal, belonging to the Solanaceae family and commonly known as Ashwagandha, is a traditional Ayurvedic herb renowned for its adaptogenic properties. It plays a significant role in various classical Ayurvedic formulations and proprietary medicines. Traditionally, the roots of the plant are utilized over the aerial parts, such as leaves and stems. In recent years, a global increase in the use of Ashwagandha roots has been spurred by several modern pharmacological studies supporting its benefits.

This study examined different parts of the herb, including leaves, stems, roots, and seeds, using methods like phytochemical analysis, thin layer chromatography (TLC) analysis, high-performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) phytochemical profiling, UV-visible spectral analysis, and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) profiling.

The findings indicated that phytosterols, triterpenoids, and alkaloids were predominantly found in the leaves and stems, with lower concentrations in the roots and seeds. Ethanol extracts were particularly rich in total flavonoids, whereas aqueous extracts contained higher levels of phenolic compounds. High-performance thin layer chromatography fingerprinting varied for each part of the herb, effectively separating pigment-based components such as chlorophyll at 366 nm in the aerial parts. The 1H NMR spectra showed distinct metabolite profiles for each part of the plant.

The analytical methods proposed in this study offer enhanced quality control and evaluation for the medicinal use of W. somnifera roots and its aerial components.