Related Experiment Video
Updated: Oct 16, 2025

Preparation of Primary Myogenic Precursor Cell/Myoblast Cultures from Basal Vertebrate Lineages
Published on: April 30, 2014
Effect of Ashwagandha Withanolides on Muscle Cell Differentiation
Jia Wang1, Huayue Zhang1, Ashish Kaul1
1AIST-INDIA DAILAB, DBT-AIST International Center for Translational & Environmental Research (DAICENTER), National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science & Technology (AIST), Tsukuba 3058565, Japan.
Abstract:
Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is used in Indian traditional medicine, Ayurveda, and is believed to have a variety of health-promoting effects. The molecular mechanisms and pathways underlying these effects have not yet been sufficiently explored. In this study, we investigated the effect of Ashwagandha extracts and their major withanolides (withaferin A and withanone) on muscle cell differentiation using C2C12 myoblasts. We found that withaferin A and withanone and Ashwagandha extracts possessing different ratios of these active ingredients have different effects on the differentiation of C2C12. Withanone and withanone-rich extracts caused stronger differentiation of myoblasts to myotubes, deaggregation of heat- and metal-stress-induced aggregated proteins, and activation of hypoxia and autophagy pathways. Of note, the Parkinson's disease model of Drosophila that possess a neuromuscular disorder showed improvement in their flight and climbing activity, suggesting the potential of Ashwagandha withanolides for the management of muscle repair and activity.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Forced Transdifferentiation
Artificial...
Classification of Skeletal Muscle Relaxants
Peripherally acting skeletal muscle relaxants interfere with the neurotransmission at the neuromuscular end plate to induce paralysis during...
Cellular Differentiation
A zygote is a...
Satellite Stem Cells and Muscular Dystrophy
iPS Cell Differentiation

