Natural products and human health— A special focus on Indian Ginseng Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal

Abstract

The burden of infectious and non-communicable diseases is increasing globally. The emerging and reemerging bacterial and viral diseases are posing major threats to human health and causing considerable socio-economic problems. The expansion of resistance development in pathogens against the present therapeutic drugs leads to new health challenges worldwide. Similarly, certain environmental and lifestyle factors that promote systemic chronic inflammation are also leading to numerous diseases and health problems. In addition, various social factors are also challenging the health system in India and other developing nations. To achieve Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), prevent the development of more superbugs, and achieve universal health coverage in India and outside, natural ways to fight against deadly pathogens are more reliable. Currently, cutting-edge technologies like nanotechnology and omics in natural product research are opening new avenues in drug discovery to foster the challenges in developing novel drugs. For better health, it is essential to give equal weightage to the social aspects of health through education and research focusing on social factors and interventions that can improve people’s health as well. In this direction, the immense potential of natural products can be explored and used as a forefront strategy to manage these burning health issues to achieve sustainable developmental goals. The AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) medicines can play a fruitful role in rural and urban areas to increase the health care system in these directions. Indian Ginseng, Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae), popularly known as ‘Ashwagandha’, has tremendous potential for use in the treatment of various ailments. It has been used in the Indian Ayurvedic system since ancient times, and present-time scientific research work validates its use not only for therapeutic purposes but also as a health promoter for people of all age groups. In this paper, we have reviewed work done on natural products in human health, highlighting cutting-edge technologies that boost drug development from natural products with special reference to W. somnifera.