Pharmacological evaluation of Ashwagandha highlighting its healthcare claims, safety, and toxicity aspects

Summary: Withania somnifera, or Ashwagandha, is an important medicinal plant used in Indian traditional medicine for over 3,000 years, known for its wide range of biological effects like anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, and neuro-protective properties. This review covers its active compounds, pharmacological activities, mechanisms of action, potential benefits, available formulations, and safety profile.

Link: PubMed

Effects of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) on Stress and the Stress- Related Neuropsychiatric Disorders Anxiety, Depression, and Insomnia

Summary: This review of studies on Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) found that it may reduce stress, anxiety, depression, and insomnia through various biological pathways, although there’s no consensus on the best form or dosage. While generally safe for human use, more research is needed to understand potential interactions with medications and to identify all its active compounds.

Link: PubMed

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera)-Current Research on the Health-Promoting Activities: A Narrative Review

Summary: This study reviews recent research showing that Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) has various health benefits, including neuroprotective, sedative, adaptogenic, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, cardioprotective, and anti-diabetic effects. It provides a comprehensive overview of Ashwagandha’s potential uses and discusses any known safety concerns and contraindications.

Link: PubMed

An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study

Summary: A 60-day study found that taking 240 mg of ashwagandha extract daily significantly reduced anxiety and stress levels in adults with high stress, as measured by specific anxiety and stress scales. The herb also led to notable reductions in stress hormones, suggesting its stress-relief benefits might be linked to effects on the body’s stress-response system, though more research with larger and varied groups is needed.

Link: PubMed

Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) on Physical Performance: Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis

Summary: This study reviewed and analyzed clinical trials up to 2020 to evaluate the impact of Ashwagandha on physical performance in healthy individuals, finding it generally more effective than a placebo in improving strength, cardiorespiratory fitness, and recovery. The analysis suggested potential benefits for future interventions, but highlighted the need for more research in athletic populations to confirm these findings.

Link: PubMed

An insight into the potential varieties of Ashwagandha (Indian ginseng) for better therapeutic efficacy

Summary: India is the largest producer of Ashwagandha, which is exported globally in various forms. The study compares the characteristics of different Ashwagandha cultivars for commercial production and highlights CIMAP-Pratap as the highest-yielding variety.

Link: ScienceDirect

Mutagenicity and safety evaluation of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root aqueous extract in different models

Summary: The study found that Ashwagandha root extract did not exhibit any mutagenic (genotoxic) effects in high concentrations and was not toxic when administered orally up to 2000 mg/kg. No mortality or morbidity was observed in the test animals within three days following administration.

Link: ScienceDirect

Sub-acute toxicity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) root extract in wistar rats

Summary: The study evaluated the sub-acute toxicity of Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) in rats, showing no signs of toxicity or significant biochemical and histopathological changes at doses up to 800 mg/kg/day. The findings suggest that ashwagandha is safe at high doses.

Link: ScienceDirect

Ashwagandha- Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal as a multipotent neuroprotective remedy for genetically induced motor dysfunction and cellular toxicity in human neurodegenerative disease models of Drosophila

Summary: The study used genetically modified fruit fly models to test the effectiveness of Ashwagandha root extract in treating neurodegenerative conditions similar to Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s diseases. Results showed that Ashwagandha improved lifespan, reduced motor and neuronal dysfunctions, and mitigated symptoms of neurodegeneration, suggesting it could be a valuable treatment against such disorders.

Link: ScienceDirect

A validated green UPLC method for the quantification of synthetic pharmaceutical adulterants in the extract of the aphrodisiac herbal plant ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) and in spiked human plasma

Summary: Researchers developed a high-performance liquid chromatography method to screen Ashwagandha root extract and detect potential contamination with Sildenafil, Vardenafil, and Avanafil, which pose health risks. The method demonstrated high accuracy and precision in identifying these synthetic drugs in plant extracts and human plasma, following stringent bioanalytical validation guidelines, and assessed its environmental impact using various greenness metrics.

Link: ScienceDirect