What are the properties of Ashwagandha in supplements?

Ashwagandha - References & External links

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera)

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• The general properties of Ashwagandha:
  • MUKHERJEE, Pulok K.; et al. Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal - Modern perspectives of an ancient Rasayana from Ayurveda. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2020, 10.264: 113157. PMID:32783987
    Conclusions: Pharmacological data reviewed here revealed that W. somnifera is a potential source for the treatment of a wide range of diseases especially anxiety and other CNS disorders. From its ancient use to its modern application it has been proven to be non-toxic and effective clinically for human health and wellness. W. somnifera based herbal formulation has been marketed in the form of supplement, extract, capsule, powder etc. This review will be helpful to correlate the mechanism of action with the phytochemical profile of this well-known plant from Ayurveda.
  • DAR, Nawab John; HAMID, Abid; AHMAD, Muzamil. Pharmacologic overview of Withania somnifera, the Indian Ginseng. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 2015, 72.23: 4445-4460. PMID:26306935
  • MISHRA, Lakshmi-Chandra; SINGH, Betsy B.; DAGENAIS, Simon. Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha): a review. Alternative medicine review, 2000, 5.4: 334-346. PMID:10956379
    CONCLUSION: Preliminary studies have found various constituents of ashwagandha exhibit a variety of therapeutic effects with little or no associated toxicity. These results are very encouraging and indicate this herb should be studied more extensively to confirm these results and reveal other potential therapeutic effects. Clinical trials using ashwagandha for a variety of conditions should also be conducted.
  • WHITE, Peter T.; et al. Natural Withanolides in the Treatment of Chronic Diseases. Springer, Cham, 2016. PMID:27671823
  • VERMA, Narsing; et al. Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract: A Randomized, Placebo-Controlled, study in Healthy Volunteers. Complementary Therapies in Medicine, 2020, 15.57: 102642. PMID:33338583
    Conclusions: Ashwagandha is being consumed since time immemorial following the Ayurvedic medicine practices. Modern science requires evidence of the safety and efficacy of the Ashwagandha extract before mass consumption for various health issues and as a supplement. The present study revealed that the consumption of Ashwagandha root extract for 8 weeks was safe in both males and females volunteers. However, long term study and varying dosage ranges should be investigated in the future.
  • SINGH, Narendra; et al. An overview on ashwagandha: a Rasayana (rejuvenator) of Ayurveda. Complementary and Alternative Medicines, 2011, 2011: 8.5S. PMID:22754076
• The properties of Ashwagandha for Weight Loss:
  Ashwagandha root extract - helps control weight, has a beneficial effect on energy levels.
  • ABU BAKAR, Mohamad Hafizi; et al. Withaferin A Protects Against High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity Via Attenuation of Oxidative Stress, Inflammation, and Insulin Resistance. Applied biochemistry and biotechnology, 2019, 188.1: 241-259. PMID:30417321
• The properties of Ashwagandha boosting Brain / Mental Clarity:
  Ashwagandha: improves memory, increases learning ability, supports cognitive ability, increase focus, helps reduce stress, build energy, improve muscle function.
  • ANDRADE, Chittaranjan; et al. A double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of the anxiolytic efficacy ff an ethanolic extract of withania somnifera. Indian journal of psychiatry, 2000, 42.3: 295. PMID:21407960
  • YENISETTI, Sarat; et al. Neuropharmacological Properties of Withania somnifera - Indian Ginseng: An Overview on Experimental Evidence with Emphasis on Clinical Trials and Patents. Recent patents on CNS drug discovery, 2015, 10.2: 204-215. PMID:27316579
    CONCLUSION: Generation of new data by employing systematic contemporary approaches such as bioinformatics, molecular docking studies, identification of specific gene targets and epigenetic regulation would provide the necessary impetus to validate fully the neurotherapeutic potential of the phytochemicals derived from WS. More importantly, well-designed clinical trials are required to exploit the neuromodulatory propensity of WS extract/bioactives in specific neurodegenerative diseases such as AD and PD.
  • CANDELARIO, Manuel; et al. Direct evidence for GABAergic activity of Withania somnifera on mammalian ionotropic GABAA and GABAρ receptors. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2015, 171: 264-272. PMID:26068424
    CONCLUSIONS: Our results provide evidence indicating that key constituents in WS may have an important role in the development of pharmacological treatments for neurological disorders associated with GABAergic signaling dysfunction such as general anxiety disorders, sleep disturbances, muscle spasms, and seizures. In addition, the differential activation of GABA receptor subtypes elucidates a potential mechanism by which WS accomplishes its reported adaptogenic properties.
  • DAR, Nawab John; et al. Neurodegenerative diseases and Withania somnifera (L.): An update. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2020, 28.256: 112769. PMID:32240781
    Conclusion: In this review, we recapitulated neuroprotective properties of Ashwagandha extracts and/or its major constituents and discussed their mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic applications. The pre-clinical as well as clinical studies suggest the use of Withania somnifera (L.) against neurodegenerative disease. However, extensive studies are warranted to validate the use of extract or its single constituents for its clinical use.
• The properties of Ashwagandha for good sleep:
  • KELGANE, Sunil B.; et al. Efficacy and Tolerability of Ashwagandha Root Extract in the Elderly for Improvement of General Well-being and Sleep: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study. Cureus, 2020, 12.2: e7083. PMID:32226684
    Conclusion: The study outcomes suggest that Ashwagandha root extract was efficient in improving the QoL, sleep quality, and mental alertness as self-assessed by the elderly participants. The recommended dose used in this study could be effective for the elderly population.
  • LANGADE, Deepak; et al. Clinical evaluation of the pharmacological impact of ashwagandha root extract on sleep in healthy volunteers and insomnia patients: A double-blind, randomized, parallel-group, placebo-controlled study. Journal of Ethnopharmacology, 2020, 264: 113276. PMID:32818573
    Conclusion: The present study confirms that Ashwagandha root extract can improve sleep quality and can help in managing insomnia. Ashwagandha root extract was well tolerated by all the participants irrespective of their health condition and age. Additional clinical trials are required to generalize the outcome.
• The properties of Ashwagandha against stress:
  • CHANDRASEKHAR, K.; KAPOOR, Jyoti; ANISHETTY, Sridhar. A prospective, randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study of safety and efficacy of a high-concentration full-spectrum extract of ashwagandha root in reducing stress and anxiety in adults. Indian journal of psychological medicine, 2012, 34.3: 255. PMID:23439798
    CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that a high-concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract safely and effectively improves an individual's resistance towards stress and thereby improves self-assessed quality of life.
  • SALVE, Jaysing; et al. Adaptogenic and Anxiolytic Effects of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Healthy Adults: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Study. Cureus, 2019, 11.12: e6466. PMID:32021735
    Conclusion: Ashwagandha root aqueous extract was beneficial in reducing stress and anxiety.
  • SINGH, B.; et al. Adaptogenic activity of a novel, withanolide-free aqueous fraction from the roots of Withania somnifera Dun. Phytotherapy Research, 2001, 15.4: 311-318. PMID:11406854
  • SINGH, B.; CHANDAN, B. K.; GUPTA, D. K. Adaptogenic activity of a novel withanolide-free aqueous fraction from the roots of Withania somnifera Dun. (Part II). Phytotherapy Research, 2003, 17.5: 531-536. PMID:12748992
• Influence of Ashwagandha on the Immune Response:
  • A DAR, Parvaiz; et al. Unique Medicinal Properties of Withania Somnifera: Phytochemical Constituents and Protein Component. Current pharmaceutical design, 2016, 22.5: 535-540. PMID:26601969
• The properties of Ashwagandha as an Aphrodisiac:
  • MALVIYA, Neelesh; et al. Recent Studies on Aphrodisiac Herbs for the Management of Male Sexual Dysfunction--A Review. Acta Pol Pharm, 2011, 68.1: 3-8. PMID:21485695
  • SANTOS, Heitor O.; HOWELL, Scott; TEIXEIRA, Filipe J. Beyond Tribulus (Tribulus Terrestris L.): The Effects of Phytotherapics on Testosterone, Sperm and Prostate Parameters. Journal of ethnopharmacology, 2019, 235: 392-405. PMID:30790614
    Conclusion: Scientific evidence supports the use of mucuna and ashwagandha as phytotherapics for improving serum T concentrations and semen parameters. Despite inconclusive evidence for use of tribulus as a T booster, it may provide advantageous effects on sperm parameters in men with idiopathic infertility. Nutraceutical strategies and some phytotherapics may also be effective to promote prostate health. Popular foodstuffs (onion, garlic, and tomato), nutraceutical agents (pollen extract and beta-sitosterols), and herbal medicines (Pygeum africanum and Urtica dioica) are rational approaches.
  • AMBIYE, Vijay R.; et al. Clinical Evaluation of the Spermatogenic Activity of the Root Extract of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in Oligospermic Males: A Pilot Study. Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2013, 2013: 571420. PMID:24371462
• The properties of Ashwagandha boosting Energy:
  Ashwagandha root extract also known as slow-burning or Indian ginseng, it works adaptogenic, supports the body during periods of mental tension and anxiety.
  • SHARMA, Ashok Kumar; BASU, Indraneel; SINGH, Siddarth. Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha Root Extract in Subclinical Hypothyroid Patients: A Double-Blind, Randomized Placebo-Controlled Trial. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, 2018, 24.3: 243-248. PMID:28829155
    Conclusion: Treatment with ashwagandha may be beneficial for normalizing thyroid indices in subclinical hypothyroid patients.
  • KELGANE, Sunil B.; et al. Efficacy and Tolerability of Ashwagandha Root Extract in the Elderly for Improvement of General Well-being and Sleep: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-blind, Placebo-controlled Study. Cureus, 2020, 12.2: e7083. PMID:32226684
    Conclusion: The study outcomes suggest that Ashwagandha root extract was efficient in improving the QoL, sleep quality, and mental alertness as self-assessed by the elderly participants. The recommended dose used in this study could be effective for the elderly population.
  • GANNON, Jessica M.; FORREST, Paige E.; CHENGAPPA, K. N. Roy. Subtle changes in thyroid indices during a placebo-controlled study of an extract of Withania somnifera in persons with bipolar disorder. Journal of Ayurveda and integrative medicine, 2014, 5.4: 241. PMID:25624699