Withania somnifera root extract extends lifespan and promotes fertility of Caenorhabditis elegans

Caenorhabditis elegans (N2 Bristol) was kept in M9 buffer with or without water-soluble fraction of the hydroalcoholic extract of Withania somnifera root. The worm population maintained in presence of extract registered higher survival rate than the control worms maintained in absence of extract over a period of 11 days. Progeny formation was displayed by the worm population in presence of the extract, but not in its absence. Molecular mechanisms of this pro-longevity and pro-fertility effect of W. somnifera extract on the nematode worm was elucidated through whole transcriptome analysis.