Withaferin A in the Treatment of Liver Diseases: Progress and Pharmacokinetic Insights

Abstract

Withaferin A (WA) is a natural steroidal compound used in Ayurvedic medicine in India and elsewhere. Although WA was used as an anticancer reagent for decades, its role in the treatment of liver diseases has only recently been experimentally explored. Here, the effects of WA in the treatment of liver injury, systematic inflammation, and liver cancer are reviewed, and the toxicity and metabolism of WA as well as pharmacological potentials of other extracts from Withania somnifera (W. somnifera) discussed. The pharmacokinetic behaviors of WA are summarized and pharmacokinetic insights into current progress and future opportunities are highlighted. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT This review outlines the current experimental progress of Withaferin A (WA) hepatoprotective activities and highlights gaps in the field. This work also discusses the pharmacokinetics of WA that can be used to guide future studies for the possible treatment of liver diseases with this compound.