Development and evaluation of topical formulations of Ashwagandha for antibacterial and antifungal studies

The use of herbal medicines has gained popularity throughout the world in recent times. Often seen as natural alternatives with fewer side-effects than synthetic medicines, these medicinal plants and their phytochemical constituents are thought to have potential applications in the management of a wide range of health conditions Saloni Khogta et al., 2020 . , ( ) Withania somnifera known commonly as ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, poison gooseberry, or winter cherry, is an annual evergreen shrub in the Solanaceae or nightshade family that grows in India, the Middle East and parts of Africa. It is a well-known medicinal plant in Ayurvedic medicine. The principle active compounds include several withanolide-type compounds. Due to the nontoxic and high medicinal value of , it is widely used as a home W. somnifera remedy for numerous diseases. The roots of the plants are also known for its antimicrobial activity apart from adaptogenic, antiinflammatory and stress relieving properties.