Asparagus racemosus Wild (shatawari) and Withania somnifera Dunal (ashwagandha) are rasayana commonly used in Indian traditional Ayurvedic medicinal system. Shatawari roots are used as tonic especially during pregnancy, gynecological disorders like menorrhagia and to increase lactation. Withania somnifera Dunal, is primarily used in ayurvedic preparations as powder, decoction, medicated wine etc., though primarily roots but seeds and leaves are also used for medicinal purposes. Present investigation was carried out with an aim to investigate the antioxidant properties of these plants using rat brain hippocampus as model system. Results of the present study demonstrate antioxidant effects of the root extracts of both Asparagus racemosus (Shatawari) and Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) in rat hippocampus used as model system. These effects are evidenced by significant recovery of SOD and CAT enzyme level after drug treatment to the animals given 4hrs immobilization/swim daily up to 30 days, in unpredictable manner. These enzymes are part of antioxidant defense of the body against free radicals and thus the significant increase after the drug treatment is indicative of free radical scavenging properties of both the drugs used in study. A significant increase in LDH activity after stress but significant decrease after drug treatment is indicative of reduced lipid peroxidation in the brain area studied.

doi: 10.5214/ans.0972.7531.2005.120401