Authors : Ajeet Singh; Ankit Kumar Singh; Vishal Kumar Vishwakarma; Shubham Goutum; Dr. Manju Pandey

Volume/Issue : Volume 11 - 2026, Issue 2 - February

Google Scholar : https://tinyurl.com/ym584pwn

Scribd : https://tinyurl.com/ms7c5cec

DOI : https://doi.org/10.38124/ijisrt/26feb057

Note : A published paper may take 4-5 working days from the publication date to appear in PlumX Metrics, Semantic Scholar, and ResearchGate.

Abstract : The goal of this review is to gather and critically assess the body of research on the phytochemical profile, ethnopharmacological uses, and pharmacological activities of Withania coagulans (Stocks) Dunal, a member of the Solanaceae family and a traditional medicinal plant used in Indian, Unani, and Middle Eastern systems of medicine. Known by many as "Indian Rennet" or "Paneer Dodi," the plant is well-known for its capacity to coagulate milk and has long been used to treat chronic conditions, including diabetes, liver disorders, and inflammation. Data from pharmacopoeias, ethnobotanical surveys, and peer-reviewed scientific journals served as the foundation for this review. In vitro and in vivo research that clarifies the plant's antidiabetic, antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, anticancer, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective properties receive particular attention. Withanolides, a class of steroidal lactones with a broad range of pharmacological effects and structural similarities to ginsenosides, are primarily responsible for the phytochemical richness of the plant. Alkaloids, flavonoids, glycosides, phenolic compounds, and tannins are additional significant components that together add to the plant's therapeutic adaptability. The hypoglycemic action of W. coagulans is one of its best-established effects; numerous studies have demonstrated notable drops in blood glucose and enhancements in insulin sensitivity in diabetic animal models. It is a potential treatment for disorders linked to oxidative stress because of its wellestablished antioxidant and free radical scavenging qualities. Preliminary anticancer studies show cytotoxic activity against specific cancer cell lines, but more mechanistic research is needed. Antimicrobial studies have shown effectiveness against both Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria, as well as fungal pathogens. The plant's wide range of pharmacological properties is further supported by reports of anti-inflammatory, hepatoprotective, and nephroprotective effects. W. coagulans continues to be underutilized in mainstream therapeutics despite its widespread traditional use and increasing scientific validation. This is primarily because of a lack of clinical data, problems with standardization, and low awareness. But its incorporation into functional foods, nutraceuticals, and phytopharmaceuticals offers a chance for new therapeutic approaches, particularly for lifestyle and chronic illnesses. To fully utilize W. coagulans's medicinal potential, future research should give priority to clinical trials, pharmacokinetic studies, and sophisticated formulation techniques. This review concludes by highlighting W. coagulans' significance as a potentially therapeutic plant that merits more investigation and pharmacological advancement.

Keywords : Withania coagulans, Withanolides, Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Ethnopharmacology.

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