Withanolide A

Withanolide A (CAS 32911-62-9) is a steroidal lactone from the withanolide family. It comes naturally from the roots and leaves of Withania somnifera (L.), better known as Ashwagandha or Indian ginseng. This adaptogenic herb has been central to Ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Traditionally, it helps boost vitality, support brain function, and improve stress resilience. Withanolides are the main active compounds behind these benefits.

Withanolide A has gained strong scientific interest for its neuroprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties. For instance, it protects brain cells by balancing glutathione levels in the hippocampus. This reduces oxidative stress and cell death in low-oxygen conditions. In addition, studies show it promotes neurite outgrowth and helps rebuild synapses. These effects make it promising for research on Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and age-related memory loss.(1) Beyond brain protection, Withanolide A supports adaptogenic benefits. It helps balance stress responses through the HPA axis and lowers inflammation by blocking key pro-inflammatory signals. It also tends to show a better safety profile than similar compounds like Withaferin A.

Withanolide A is an important marker for standardization. It plays a key role in quality control of Ashwagandha extracts used in nutraceuticals, dietary supplements, and herbal products. Precise measurement ensures consistent potency, reliable batches, and regulatory compliance.

Planta Analytica offers high-purity Withanolide A reference standards. They are suitable for HPLC, UPLC, LC-MS, and other analytical methods, as well as pharmacological and natural product research.