Ashwagandha active compounds.

The biologically active compounds in Ashwagandha fall into the categories of Alkoloids and Withanolides.

The alkoloids are a group of organic compounds naturally produced by plants and having nitrogen as the central atom. Many alkaloids have are pharmacologically active in humans. The alkoids identified in the Ashwagandha plant include Tropanol, Withanine, Anaferine and Anahygrine. These compounds are mainly found in the root of the Ashwagandha plant.

The Withanolides are a group of compounds found in the Solanacae family. They are similar to the active compounds in Ginseng known as ginsenosides. These compounds have shown promise as having anti-cancer activity. Withaferin- A, which is a withanolide and is primarily found in the leaves of the Ashwagandha plants, has shown particular promise as an anti-cancer compound.