Withaferin A: the potent anti-cancer agent from Ashwagandha

For ages, the medicinal plant Withania somnifera, also known as ashwagandha, has been an essential component of ayurvedic medicine. It is well documented that components of WS have anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, analgesic, and anti-cancer properties. WS is composed of 14 anolides, of which Withaferin A (WA) is the most significant. WA, a steroidal lactone, impedes oncogenic signaling and induces apoptosis in a cancer cell. Previously, we have documented the potency of WA in breast cancer, prostate cancer, and colon cancer. A significant efficacy of Wa against the breast cancer stem cell population, a key cell population accountable for chemoresistance, has been documented. Withaferin a targets a multitude of oncoproteins and cell cycle checkpoints and augments the activity of anticancer drugs, thus gaining ground as a promising anticancer molecule. Owing to its strong anti-cancer potential, WA should be a center of focus for the scientific community because of its translational value in the modern medicine system. Additionally, scientific investigation is needed to comprehend WA’s pharmacokinetics and bioavailability. in the present review article, we have comprehensively included the molecular targets of Wa in various neoplasms.