Abstract:
Withania somnifera (Linn) Dunal belongs to Solanaceae family and is widely used in the
traditional medicinal system of Sri Lanka. It is commonly called ‘Ashwagandha’ and is a member of
generally regarded as safe (GRAS) category of plants that can be used for many therapeutic
purposes such as a variety of musculoskeletal conditions (e.g., arthritis, rheumatism), general
debility, low energy, tumours, cough and as a general tonic to increase energy, improve overall
health, etc. For the quality assessment of root of W. somnifera, six samples of this root powder were
used and organoleptic characters, physicochemical parameters such as ash values, loss on drying,
pH and hot ethanol and water extractive values were carried out according to the World Health
Organization guidelines. A preliminary phytochemical screening was done to detect different phytoconstituents
in its hot ethanol and water extracts according to standard laboratory procedures. All
samples were tested and mean values along with standard deviation were recorded. The quality
assessment profile of root of W. somnifera obtained in the present study to be an immense value in
identification and authentication of this plant and may help in preventing its adulteration
(particularly when used in the powdered form).
