Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a widely used adaptogenic supplement promoted for stress reduction and general wellness. Although generally well tolerated, rare but clinically significant adverse events have been documented. We report a case of acute neurotoxicity in a 40-year-old man temporally associated with ashwagandha ingestion. The patient presented with prolonged sleep, abnormal sleep behaviours, acute confusion, and retrograde amnesia. Comprehensive diagnostic evaluation excluded alternative causes. Discontinuation of ashwagandha, along with supportive management, resulted in complete symptom resolution. The underlying pathophysiology may involve GABAergic modulation mediated by withanolides, with interindividual variability in drug metabolism contributing to susceptibility. This case highlights the importance of clinician awareness regarding potential neuropsychiatric complications of herbal supplements and underscores the need for careful patient counselling about their use and possible drug interactions.

Objectives In this study, we investigate the effects of dietary supplementation with standardized aqueous extracts of shatavari (Asparagus racemosus, Ar), ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, Ws), or their combination on menopausal symptoms, vascular dysfunction, bone turnover, and serum concentrations of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers in postmenopausal women. Methods Postmenopausal women aged 40–55 were enrolled in a double-blind randomized study to receive one of six treatments: placebo, Ar 250 mg/500 mg, Ws 250 mg/500 mg, or 500 mg extract combining Ar 250 mg and Ws 250 mg. Primary outcomes were changes in the menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire, bone mineral density/bone turnover markers (BTMs), and reflection index (RI) after 24 weeks. Secondary outcomes included changes in serum inflammatory and oxidative stress markers, and evaluation of supplement safety and tolerability. Results Supplemented groups showed significant dose-dependent decrease MENQOL and RI compared with placebo (P < 0.0001). Women supplemented with Ws or Ar extracts had significantly decreased levels of the BTMs C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen, bone alkaline phosphatase, and receptor activator of nuclear factor kappa-B ligand, and increased osteoprotegerin levels (P < 0.0001). Significantly decreased levels of inflammatory and oxidative stress markers high-sensitivity C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde, and increased glutathione and nitric oxide levels (P < 0.0001) were also observed. Conclusions Daily supplementation with Ws or Ar extracts dose-dependently reduces menopausal symptoms, vascular dysfunction, bone turnover/resorption, and estrogen deficiency-related inflammation and oxidative stress in postmenopausal women.

Ashwagandha extract is an herbal dietary supplement with suggested health properties and the potential to improve physical performance. However, there are still few well-controlled studies confirming improvements in aerobic capacity as a result of supplementation, as well as the mechanisms responsible for this effect. The purpose of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study was to evaluate the effects of ashwagandha supplementation (600 mg/day) on aerobic capacity, muscle oxygenation and resting blood haematological parameters in healthy male non-athletes ’participants undergoing 8 weeks of HIIT. The training was performed on a rowing ergometer (3 sessions per week, 5–7 sets of 1.5 minutes in each session, at a load of 85–95% of maximum aerobic power, and with rest intervals between sets of 1.5 minutes at a power output of 70 W). Aerobic capacity was determined during a maximal graded exercise test on rowing ergometer, performed before and after the 8-week intervention. During this test, muscle oxygenation was monitored using a near-infrared spectroscopy monitor. The two-factor ANOVA (2 × 2; time × group) revealed no main effect of group and interaction of time and group in the aerobic capacity or haematological parameters (P > 0.05). In turn, as a result of training, both placebo (n = 16) and ashwagandha (n = 17) groups showed large significant improvements in aerobic capacity parameters, i.e. test time, maximal aerobic power and anaerobic threshold (main effect of time, P = 0.00001, post-hoc differences within group; pre-post, P < 0.001; with η2 amounted 0.60–0.78), with less pronounced changes in maximal oxygen uptake (in absolute terms, main effect of time, P = 0.019; η2 = 0.16). Furthermore, significant main effect of time and interaction of time and group in some parameters of muscle oxygen utilisation (P < 0.05; η2: 0.15–0.19) were found, and post-hoc analyses showed significant intragroup (pre-post) differences (improvements) in the placebo gro

Ashwagandha has multiple medicinal properties and is widely used as a supplement to address various health conditions including stress and anxiety. The bioavailability of Ashwagandha bioactives provide critical information on the biological effects in humans after oral supplementation. A randomized, double-blind, single-dose, cross-over comparative oral bioavailability study was conducted in 20 healthy, adult human subjects under fasting conditions. All subjects consumed single dose of ZEN 1.5 (Zenroot™ Ashwagandha 1.5% 125 mg), ASH 5 (Reference product 1—Ashwagandha 5% 600 mg) and ASH 10 (Reference product 2—Ashwagandha 10% 500 mg) as per a randomization schedule. Blood samples were collected at 0.00 h, and at 00.25, 00.50, 00.75, 01.00, 02.00, 03.00, 04.00, 05.00, 06.00, 09.00, 12.00, and 24.00 h post-dose. Total withanolides (consisting of withanoside IV, withanolide A, 12-deoxywithastramonolide, and withaferin A) were quantified in plasma using the LC–MS/MS method and pharmacokinetics parameters like area under the curve, AUC0-t, Cmax, Tmax, t½ and test/reference (T/R) ratio for test product, ZEN 1.5, versus reference products, ASH 5 and ASH 10, were used for statistical comparisons. Subjects in the ZEN 1.5 group showed significantly (P < 0.05) higher total withanolides concentration in plasma at all post-dose time points except 12.00 and 24.00 h compared to ASH 5. In addition, subjects in Ashwagandha ZEN 1.5 group showed significantly higher (P < 0.05) total withanolides concentration in plasma at 0.25, 1.00, 2.00, 3.0, and 4.00 h compared to ASH 10. Further, ZEN 1.5 showed significantly higher bioavailability for total withanolides compared to ASH 5 and ASH 10 with significantly higher (P < 0.05) Cmax and AUC0-t parameters, T/R ratio, and 90% CI. ZEN 1.5 at 125-mg dose showed 2.1-fold higher bioavailability compared to ASH 5 at 600 mg, and 1.3-fold higher bioavailability compared to ASH 10 at 500 mg. ZEN 1.5 was well tolerated during the study period. A low do

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal), a perennial plant of the genus Withania in the Solanaceae family, is widely used in traditional Indian medicine. In recent years, its use as a dietary supplement has gained increasing popularity. However, concerns regarding its safety have attracted significant attention. This review comprehensively examines the effects of Ashwagandha on the female and male reproductive systems, thyroid hormones, acetylcholinesterase activity, the immune system, and the liver. By analyzing relevant research studies and case reports, it aims to thoroughly evaluate the safety of Ashwagandha as a food additive and provide a scientific basis for its rational use. The findings indicate that Ashwagandha poses significant risks to specific populations, such as pregnant women, patients with thyroid disorders, and individuals with liver or kidney dysfunction. Furthermore, multiple cases of liver damage have been reported, raising concerns about its long-term safety. It is recommended to restrict the use of Ashwagandha as a food additive, enhance label warnings, and conduct more high-quality studies to clarify its mechanisms of action and safety thresholds, thereby ensuring its responsible application in the dietary supplement field.

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is a widely used herbal supplement with established adaptogenic and neuroprotective properties. Although generally considered safe, rare adverse neurological effects may occur. We present the case of a previously healthy adult male who developed acute-onset dystonia following the initiation of Ashwagandha supplementation. The patient exhibited sustained involuntary muscle contractions and abnormal posturing shortly after commencing the supplement. Extensive diagnostic evaluation failed to identify an alternative etiology. Discontinuation of Ashwagandha and initiation of symptomatic treatment led to the resolution of symptoms. This case underscores the importance of considering herbal supplements as potential contributors to neurological presentations.

Background: The poultry production systems have led to marked increase in the production of poultry meat and eggs worldwide. The use of various phytobiotic feed additives as dietary supplements may have positive effect on poultry performance, carcass quality and economic benefit in poultry birds. Methods: A feeding trial of 42 days was conducted at Veterinary College, Navania, Udaipur in the year 2021 using 300, day-old broiler chicks (Cobb-400) randomly distributed in completely randomized design. The broiler chicks were divided randomly into ten treatment groups with three replicates under each treatment. The T1 i.e. control group was fed on basal diet, while T2 was supplemented with Oxytetracycline (OTC) powder @ 0.1g/kg feed. T3 and T4 were served as Basal diet supplemented with Garlic powder @ 0.75% and @ 1.50%. T5 and T6 were served as Basal diet supplemented with Ashwagandha root powder @ 0.75% and @ 1.50%. T7 and T8 were served as Basal diet supplemented with Shatavari root powder @ 0.75% and @ 1.50%. T9 was served as Basal diet supplemented with Garlic powder @ 0.25%, Ashwagandha root powder @ 0.25% and Shatavari root powder @ 0.25%. T10 was served as Basal diet supplemented with Garlic powder @ 0.50%, Ashwagandha root powder @ 0.50% and Shatavari root powder @ 0.50%. Result: The supplementation of Garlic powder, Ashwagandha root powder and Shatavari root powder alone and in combination had highly significant (P less than 0.01) effect on body weight, dressing percentage, weight of liver, heart, Gizzard and Giblet but significant (P less than 0.05) effect was observed on eviscerated yield. The net return per bird profit was found higher in T9 group.

Pharmacopeias are essential for ensuring the quality of botanical raw materials, yet their utility is limited by slow adaptation to rapid innovation in the dietary supplement industry. Challenges arise from differing standards (e.g., the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) and the United States Pharmacopoeia (USP)), as well as a critical lack of comparative data for globally sourced ingredients. The post-COVID surge in adaptogens, such as ashwagandha, underscores the urgency of these issues. The commercial use of aerial parts-despite traditional root-only use and phytochemical variability-raises concerns about quality and safety. The situation necessitates rigorous source verification and re-evaluation of current pharmacopeial methods. To address these deficiencies, we developed and compared an HPLC-PDA method utilizing BP and USP standards to quantify three steroidal lactones (withaferin A, withanolide A, and withanoside IV) in ashwagandha samples and commercial products. Our analysis revealed substantial variations in steroidal lactone content. Alarmingly, over 44% of products failed to meet BP standards, and 60% failed to meet USP standards. The high failure rate was attributed to the elevated presence of co-eluted dihydrowithaferin sulfate, primarily found in leaf samples, which led to an underestimation of withanolide A. Only 10 of 25 supplement products met both standards; only two were confirmed as root-derived, while the remainder contained varying proportions of (un)disclosed aerial parts. These findings highlight critical plant-part-specific chemical variations and the need for enhanced source verification and improved quality control. Developing robust analytical methods and revisiting existing pharmacopeial guidelines are crucial for assessing the quality and safety of ashwagandha products, including novel formulations.

College of Kinesiology Research Theme: Human Performance. Ashwagandha, an herbal supplement commonly used for stress reduction and general well-being, has gained attention in sports science for its potential role in muscle recovery. This study examined the short-term effects of ashwagandha supplementation on muscle recovery by assessing muscle strength, soreness, and swelling over a 72-hour period following resistance exercise. Ten healthy adults (ages 18–35 years) participated in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Participants were assigned to either a 600 mg/day ashwagandha supplementation group or a placebo group, receiving a vitamin B pill, for seven days before completing an acute resistance exercise protocol targeting the biceps. Muscle recovery was assessed using ultrasound (muscle thickness), a Biodex machine (torque), and subjective soreness ratings (Visual Analog Scale). Follow-up assessments occurred at 24-, 48-, and 72-hours post-exercise. Results of a 2 (group) × 5 (time) repeated-measures ANOVA revealed a significant group × time interaction for muscle thickness (p = 0.013). Post-hoc analysis indicated that muscle thickness in the ashwagandha group returned to baseline within 24 hours, whereas the placebo group exhibited persistent swelling at 24-, 48-, and 72-hours post-exercise (p < 0.05). No significant interaction was found for torque recovery, though a time main effect (p < 0.01) indicated that strength declined post-exercise and recovered by 48 hours in both groups. Similarly, muscle soreness followed a typical time-dependent recovery pattern, peaking at 24 hours and declining at 48 and 72 hours (p < 0.05), with no significant difference between groups. These findings suggest that short-term ashwagandha supplementation may accelerate muscle swelling reduction but does not significantly impact strength recovery or muscle soreness compared to placebo. Due to the small sample size, further research is necessary to confirm these r

Ashwagandha is a supplement with the potential to improve exercise performance. However, research on its impact on female athletes remains limited. This study investigates the effects of ashwagandha on exercise recovery and muscle strength in professional female athletes, addressing a gap in understanding its role in this underrepresented population. Female footballers were randomly assigned to a 600 mg/day ashwagandha root extract group (ASH, n = 15; age: 26.0 ± 4.9 years, height: 1.66 ± 0.1 m, body mass: 61.5 ± 7.5 kg, and career: 15.2 ± 7.4 years) or a placebo group (PLA, n = 15; age: 23.5 ± 5.5 years, height: 1.66 ± 0.1 m, body mass: 61.5 ± 6.0 kg, and career: 13.1 ± 4.9 years). Recovery was assessed with total quality recovery (TQR), Hooper Index (HI) and rate of perceived exertion (RPE). Strength was assessed by hand grip, medicine ball throw (MBT), countermovement jump (CMJ) and peak power. Dietary intake was recorded prior to baseline measurements. Repeated measures ANOVA, Bonferroni test, independent t‐tests and ANCOVA were used in the analysis. A significant group × time interaction effect was found for TQR (p = 0.026), with the post‐hoc analysis revealing a significant difference between ASH and PLA at 28 days (p = 0.039). Perceived sleep quality from HI improved significantly in ASH compared to PLA (p = 0.038), with a significant change at 14 days. The ANCOVA analysis highlighted the significant influence of carbohydrate intake on hand grip strength (p = 0.005), MBT (p < 0.001) and body mass (p < 0.001). A dosage of 600 mg of ashwagandha root extract for 28 days may improve TQR and enhance perceived sleep quality in female footballers. Future research should investigate the optimal dosage and test across a broader range of athletic populations.

An attempt has been made to ascertain the impact of the homeopathic medication Withania somnifera on the level of tissue protein and weight gain in Channa gachua. A 30-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the impact of Withania somnifera, an herbal supplement, on the diet. The quantity of protein in the muscles, liver, and ovaries of the fish under treatment and the control group was measured. The amount of protein in the fish’s liver and muscle that received ashwagandha treatment did not significantly increase. On the other hand, the ovary displayed a noticeably higher protein content per gram of tissue. The amount of tissue protein in the ovary after it is fed an experimental diet causes the ovary to mature prematurely.

Abstract Disclosure: I.S. Barata: None. J. Yakubu: None. T. Du Toit: None. A.V. Pandey: None. Supplements derived from plant extracts are often used as alternatives to pharmaceutical drugs. These products are often perceived as safe despite the absence of scientific evidence regarding their efficacy and safety and are less strictly regulated than pharmaceutical products. Winter cherry (Withania somnifera, commonly known as ashwagandha) is used as a testosterone booster supplement in multiple countries. Withania somnifera extract was found to increase testosterone and androgen precursors in a small clinical study. However, there is a lack of data regarding effects of Withania somnifera on the steroidogenic pathways. Steroidogenesis impacts not only sexual differentiation, reproduction, and fertility but also other physiological processes, including hypertension and obesity. Moreover, the modulation of hormone signaling is an important target in hormone-responsive pathogenesis, and overproduction of androgens has been implicated in the pathogenesis of prostate cancer (PCa) and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS). In humans, testosterone is mainly produced in the testes after conversion of pregnenolone to 17-hydroxypregnenolone (17-OHPreg) and dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, the precursor of androgens) by adrenal CYP17A1, which catalyzes both the 17-hydroxylation of steroids for cortisol production and the breakage of 17,20 bonds (17,20 lyase) in 17-OHPreg to produce DHEA. The intake of substances that may increase androgen levels by people with PCa or PCOS or with predisposition to these conditions may trigger pathogenesis or worsen prognosis by accelerating disease progression. We investigated the effects of Withania somnifera in modulating the adrenal steroidogenic pathway and the possible consequences on the pathogenesis of androgen-responsive conditions, specifically PCa. Adrenal cells were treated with the extract of Withania somnifera to characterize its effect on

Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (WS) known as Ashwagandha, has been used for centuries in Ayurvedic medicine to promote longevity and vitality. The use of herbal plant extract in treating several diseases has been documented from the very beginning in Ayurveda. The ethnopharmacological properties of this ‘‘Indian Ginseng’’ plant include adaptogenic, hypnotic, sedative, and diuretic. The root extract of WS has shown the properties of neuronal regeneration by stimulating axon and dendrite outgrowth in neurons in culture. Hence, in the recent decade Ashwagandha has been widely studied for its neuroprotective properties in many rodent models and cell lines. Here, we have used transgenic Drosophila model carrying human tauE14. The mutant protein codes for pseudophosphorylated Tau protein which is specifically expressed in photoreceptor neurons using GMR-Gal4 driver to induce photoreceptor neuronal degeneration. We treated these tauopathy mimicking flies with different concentrations of Ashwagandha to evaluate the neuroprotective/remedial effect of Ashwagandha at different stages of fly development. Our results demonstrated that Ashwagandha can rescue the neurodegeneration phenotype in Drosophila TauE14 disease model only when administered during development.

Revision sistematica de RCTs. Evidencia moderada de aumento de testosterona en hombres, especialmente en combinacion con ejercicio de resistencia.

RCT doble ciego. 240mg/dia de extracto estandarizado redujo significativamente ansiedad, cortisol matutino y mejoro calidad de sueno.

RCT con KSM-66. 300mg dos veces al dia durante 60 dias redujo cortisol serico significativamente (p=0.0006) y puntuaciones de estres vs placebo.