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[gokugreene]

Cholinesterase inhibiting withanolides from Withania somnifera.

Choudhary MI, Yousuf S, Nawaz SA, Ahmed S, Atta-ur-Rahman.

H.E.J. Research Institute of Chemistry, International Center for Chemical Sciences, University of Karachi, Karachi-75270, Pakistan. hej@cyber.net.pk

A total of two new (1, 2) and four known (3-6) withanolides were isolated from the whole plant of Withania somnifera. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques and were characterized as 6alpha,7alpha-epoxy-3beta,5alpha,20beta-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-24-enolide (1), 5beta,6beta-epoxy-4beta,17alpha,27-trihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide (2), withaferin-A (3), 2,3-dihydrowithaferin-A (4), 6alpha,7alpha-epoxy-5alpha,20beta-dihydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,24-dienolide (5), and 5beta,6beta-epoxy-4beta-hydroxy-1-oxowitha-2,14,24-trienolide (6), respectively. Compounds 2, 3, 5, and 6 displayed inhibitory potential against butyrylcholinesterase, but only compounds 3, 4, and 6 were found to be active against acetylcholinesterase.

Source

Perhaps this is another use of this amazing herb.

[stellar]

Thanks for that information, but I wonder how potent it is? I take Ashwaghandha but notice more of a "well being" on it rather than cognitive improvement.

I sometimes take Huperzine/Vinpocetine combo which is also an AChE inhibitor and notice a major cognitive enhancement

[gokugreene]

Ashwaghanda gives me a profound feeling of clarity and focus.

I wish there was a way to gauge its potency, but as of now there isn't.

Check this out, and scroll to the bottom. It lists a plethora of herbs with their active ingredients and their medicinal properties.