Pearson’s correlation coefficients (<i>p</i><0.01) between antioxidant activity (FRSA), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the extracts from roots of <i>W</i>. <i>somnifera</i>.

<p>Pearson’s correlation coefficients (<i>p</i><0.01) between antioxidant activity (FRSA), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) of the extracts from roots of <i>W</i>. <i>somnifera</i>.</p

Schematic diagram of the metabolic pathway and relative levels of major compounds detected in <i>W</i>. <i>somnifera</i> root extracts.

<p>This was modified from the pathways presented in the KEGG database (<a href="http://www.genome.jp/kegg/" target="_blank">http://www.genome.jp/kegg/</a>). ANOVA was performed to assess the statistical significance of differences between samples (<i>p</i>-value < 0.05). Data are presented as mean values and error bars represent the standard deviation. Different letters represent the statistical significance of metabolite levels.</p

Free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of <i>W</i>. <i>somnifera</i> roots grown <i>in vitro</i> and in the field.

<p>Each value is shown as the mean ± SD (N = 7). Different letters in the same column indicate a significant difference (<i>p</i><0.05). GAE: gallic acid equivalent, CE: catechin equivalent.</p><p>^a2MFR, 2 months field-grown root; 5MFR, 5 months field-grown root; 1MIR, 1MIR, 1 month <i>in vitro</i> root; 1.5 months <i>in vitro</i> root.</p><p>Free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), total phenolic contents (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of <i>W</i>. <i>somnifera</i> roots grown <i>in vitro</i> and in the field.</p

Pattern of withanolide accumulation in <i>in vitro</i> and field grown tissues quantified using HPTLC.

<p>The data presented in the figure are the mean ± standard deviation of three replicates obtained from three independent experiments. Different letters in the same column indicate a significant difference (<i>p</i><0.05). Data represents Mean ± Standard deviation of three replicates obtained from three independent experiments.</p><p>^a2MFR, 2 months field-grown root; 5MFR, 5 months field-grown root; 1MIR, 1MIR, 1 month <i>in vitro</i> root; 1.5 months <i>in vitro</i> root.</p><p>Pattern of withanolide accumulation in <i>in vitro</i> and field grown tissues quantified using HPTLC.</p

Free Radical Scavenging Activity and Comparative Metabolic Profiling of <i>In Vitro</i> Cultured and Field Grown <i>Withania somnifera</i> Roots

<div><p>Free radical scavenging activity (FRSA), total phenolic content (TPC), and total flavonoid content (TFC) of <i>in vitro</i> cultured and field grown <i>Withania somnifera</i> (Ashwagandha) roots were investigated. Withanolides analysis and comprehensive metabolic profiling between 100% methanol extracts of <i>in vitro</i> and field grown root tissues was performed using high performance thin layer chromatography (HPTLC) and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), respectively. Significantly higher levels of FRSA, TPC, and TFC were observed in <i>in-vitro</i> cultured roots compared with field grown samples. In addition, 30 day-cultured <i>in vitro</i> root samples (1MIR) exhibited a significantly higher FRSA (IC₅₀ 81.01 μg/mL), TPC (118.91 mg GAE/g), and TFC (32.68 mg CE/g) compared with those in 45 day-cultured samples (1.5MIR). Total of 29 metabolites were identified in <i>in vitro</i> cultured and field grown roots by GC-MS analysis. The metabolites included alcohols, organic acids, purine, pyrimidine, sugars, and putrescine. Vanillic acid was only observed in the <i>in vitro</i> cultured root samples, and higher level of the vanillic acid was observed in 1MIR when compared to 1.5MIR. Therefore, it is suggested that 1MIR might serve as an alternative to field grown roots for the development of medicinal and functional food products.</p></div