the Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of Amino Acids in the Leaves of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.)) from the Flora of Palestine: Exploring Their Relationship to the Plant’s Therapeutic and Medicinal Properties
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Abstract
This research aims to study the qualitative and quantitative chemical composition of amino acids in the leaves of (Withania somnifera L.), which grows wild in Palestine, and to study the relationship between the presence of amino acids and the various medicinal effects of this plant.
Qualitative analytical chemistry was conducted on amino acids in various aqueous and alcoholic extracts of the leaves using multiple types of specific chemical reactions and various chromatographic techniques. The quantitative analysis of Amino acids was carried out by spectrophotometry technique. As a result of the qualitative phytochemical analysis of amino acids, ten amino acids were identified in the plant's leaves, including two essential amino acids (Valine, Tryptophan), two semi-essential amino acids (Cysteine, Cystine), and six non-essential amino acids (Alanine, Tyrosine, Aspartic, Glutamic, Glycine, Proline). As a result of the quantitative phytochemical analysis of amino acids, it was found that it contains 0.551% in the leaves. These results are the first to be presented for the plant (Withania somnifera L.), which is considered a plant of Palestine.This study explored the relationship between the presence of amino acids in the leaves of the Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L.) and its medicinal properties. We hypothesize that the plant's ability to treat obsessive-compulsive disorder is linked to the presence of the amino acid valine, while its effectiveness in strengthening bones and muscles is associated with the amino acids valine and proline. Its ability to lower blood sugar levels is linked to the amino acid alanine. Its effects on enhancing alertness, improving mood, and reducing anxiety are associated with the amino acids valine and tyrosine, while improved sleep is linked to the amino acids tryptophan and glycine.
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