Withanolide

Withanolides are a group of at least 300 naturally occurring steroids built on an ergostane skeleton. They occur as secondary metabolites primarily in genera of the Nightshade family, for example in the tomatillo.

Structurally, withanolides consist of a steroid backbone bound to a lactone or one of its derivatives; they are produced via oxidation of steroids. It remains unknown to what end withanolides are produced; they may act as a deterrent for feeding insect larvae and other herbivores.

In the laboratory, many withanolides have exhibited medicinally interesting properties.

Genera within the nightshade family that have been found to produce withanolides include: Datura, Dunalia, Iochroma, Lycium, Nicandra, Physalis, Salpichroa, Solanum, Withania, and Jaborosa.

This class of steroidal lactones involves an ergostane-type framework in which C-22 and C-26 are appropriately oxidised to form a (delta)-lactone ring. They are subdivided into nine groups: withanolides, withaphysalins, physalins, nicandrenones, jaborols, ixocarpalactones, perulactones, acnistins and miscellaneous withasteroids.

Withaferin A, the first withanolide to be isolated, was found in Winter Cherry (Withania somnifera), also known as Ashwagandha in ayurvedic medicine. The anti-inflammatory effects of a few dozen known withanolides have been demonstrated in animal experiments. Withaferin A acts as an anti-angiogenic compound by inhibiting Transcription Factors Sp1 and NF-κB. Withaferin A down-regulates angiogenic switch inducer vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene expression in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells and EAT cells induced angiogenesis on mouse peritoneal cavity. Withaferin A also inhibits angiogenesis on chick chorioallantoic membrane. Withanalides inhibit COX-2 and exhibit anti-inflammatory activity.

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