Method and compositions for reducing the inflammation after cytokine exposure of an islet cell transplant without affecting the viability and potency are disclosed herein. The present invention describes a composition comprising Withaferin A (WA), a steroidal lactone derived from Withania somnifera to effectively block NF-kB activation in beta cells, minimize cytokine-induced cell death and improve survival of transplanted islets. The method of the present invention involves identifying a subject having islet cells in need of treatment; and providing a effective amount of a Withaferin A composition disposed in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier in an amount sufficient to reduce the inflammation after cytokine exposure without affecting the viability and potency of the islet cell population.