Ashwagandha
which is botanically known as Withania Somnifera has been used as
a rejuvenating tonic, an anti-inflammatory agent, aphrodisiac and as an
immune booster. It is especially beneficial in stress related disorders
such as arthritis, hypertension, diabetes and general debility. It has
also shown impressive results when used as stimulants for the immune system.
It is considered as an adaptogen that stimulates the immune system and
improves the memory. Ashwagandha revitalizes body and decreases untimely
fatigue caused due weak body strength. Ashwagandha provides energy and
a rejuvenating lift while at the same time offering a calming effect.
The name Ashwagandha in sanskrit
means the Power of Stallion. Ashwagandha is also known
as Indian Ginseng. The chemical components in ashwagandha known as Withanolides
are remarkably similar to those found in ginseng. Studies have demonstrated
its superiority in stress relieving and stamina boosting abilities when
compared to its Korean cousin. Ayurvedic healers have long prescribed the
herb to treat exhaustion caused by both physical and mental strain. Recently
Ashwagandha has been conclusively found to in crease cognition in patients
with brain degenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.
Benefits of
Ashwagandha - Withania Somnifera
ADAPTOGEN (Modulates
stress responses)
Ashwagandha has been shown to
attenuate the negative effects of chronic stress in rats, including hyperglycemia,
glucose intolerance, increase in plasma corticosteroid, levels, gastric
ulceration, male sexual dysfunction, cognitive deficits, immunosuppression
and mental depression (Bhattacharya & Muruganandam 2003). Animal trials
have shown that a withanolide-free hydrosoluble fraction of Withania Somnifera
reduces the stress response induced both chemically and physically (Singh
et al 2003). Animal studies also suggest an ability to reduce adrenal weight
and plasma cortisol levels (Kurandikar et al 1986), thus potentially protecting
against the negative effects of elevated cortisol levels in chronic stress
and allostasis.
NERVOUS SYSTEM ACTIVITY
OF ASHWAGANDHA
Cognitive enhancement Memory
enhancement properties of Ashwagandha has been confirmed by animal studies
and appears to be mediated by a cholinergic effect (Dhuley 2001). Increased
cortical muscarinic acetylcholine receptor capacity has been observed in
animals and humans with extracts of withania (Schliebs et al 1997). Several
withanolides exert
calcium antagonistic ability,
together with anticholinesterase activity, by inhibiting butyrylcholinesterase
and acetylcholinesterase enzymes (Choudhary MI et al 2004,2005). The presence
of choline in the herb may also contribute to the production of acetylcholine
and further increase cholinergic effects.
Neuroprotective Properties
of Ashwagandha
Several animal studies indicate
the potential for protection of neurons (Jain et al 2001), including protection
from neuronal injury in Parkinson’s disease (Ahmad et al 2005) and promotion
of dendrite formation (Tohda et al 2000). One possible explanation is due
to the antioxidant properties of withania (Parihar & Hemnani 2003).
In animal models of haloperidol-induced dyskinesia (chewing movements,
tongue protrusion and buccal tremors), the reported benefits of withania
appear to be due to its antioxidant action (Bhattacharya SK et al 2002;
Naidu et al 2003). In vitro results suggest that withanolide A is able
to reconstruct neuronal networks, including axons, dendrites, pre- and
post synapses, in the neurons.
ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY
OF ASHWAGANDHA
Ashwagandha exerts an indirect
antioxidant action in vivo (Bhattacharya SK et al 1997,Bhattacharya A et
al 2001). Daily administration of Ashwagandha root extract increases hepatic
glucose-6-phosphatase activity and decreases hepatic lipid peroxidation,
most likely by increasing the activity of endogenous antioxidant enzymes
(Panda & Kar 1997, 1998, 1999). In vitro Ashwagandha inhibits both
the lipid peroxidation and the protein oxidative modification induced by
copper (Gupta et al
2003). In animal studies
the antioxidant actions have been proposed as a possible mechanism for
Ashwagandha preventing the negative effects of stroke induced by middle
cerebral artery occlusion (Choudhary G et al 2003).
ASHWAGANDHA INCREASES
HAEMATOPOIESIS
Animal trials indicate the Ashwagandha
herb increases hemoglobin and red blood cell levels (Ziauddin et al 1996)
and increases haematopoiesis (Aphale et al 1998). The iron content of the
herb may further contribute to its role in red blood cell formation. The
herb is used in the treatment of iron deficiency anemia due to its effects
on haemopoeisis and natural iron content (Aphale et al 1998; Ziauddin et
al 1996). This use has been supported by studies showing increased hemoglobin
levels in children, induced by withania.
ANTI-INFLAMMATORY ACTIVITY
OF ASHWAGANDHA HERB
The withanolides in Ashwagandha
extract (steroidal lactones) are considered to have anti-inflammatory effects
(Chevallier 1996). Several withanolides exert selective COX-2 enzyme inhibition
(Jayaprakasam & Nair 2003) and withania has been found to decrease
alpha-2-macroglobulin, a liver-synthesised plasma protein that increases
during inflammation
(Anbalagan & Sadique
1985). A reduction in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate has also been
noted. Withania is traditionally incorporated into herbal combination formulations
for symptom relief in osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Its documented
anti-inflammatory and antioxidant activities provide support for this use.
ANTICANCER (ANTINEOPLASTIC
AND CHEMOPREVENTION) PROPERTIES OF ASHWAGANDHA
Studies show that Ashwagandha
can stimulate the production of cytotoxic T-lymphocytes in vivo and in
vitro, and that it may prevent or reduce tumor growth (Davis & Kuttan
2002; Jayaprakasam et al 2003). Withania was found in animal models to
prevent skin carcinoma induced by UVB radiation (Mathur et al 2004) and
forestomach tumors (Padmavathi et al 2005); Ashwagandha reduces the incidence,
number and size of tumors. The withaferin A fraction appears to exert anti-angiogenic
activity (Mohan et al 2004) and may be partly responsible for the antineoplastic
effects observed in vitro and in vivo studies (Uma Devi 1995, 1996). The
antioxidant effects aid in the prevention of DNA damage by mutagens (Khanam
& Devi 2005) and this in combination with detoxifying properties, anti-inflammatory
and immunomodulatory effects, determined in animal studies, are likely
to contribute to its chemopreventive action (Prakash et al 2001, 2002).
ASHWAGANDHA AS AN ANXIOLYTIC
AND ANTIDEPRESSANT
Animal studies have found that
withanolides in the Ashwagandha herb exert anxiolytic effects comparable
to those of lorazepam, and antidepressant effects comparable to those of
the antidepressant drug, imipramine (Bhattacharya SK et al 2000).
CARDIOPROTECTIVE BENEFITS
OF ASHWAGANDHA
Cardioprotective effects
of Ashwagandha has been noted in animal studies (Dhuley 2000, Mohanty et
al 2004), significantly reducing myocardial injury after ischaemia and
reperfusion (Gupta SK et al 2004). The alkaloids are considered to be sedative
and reduce blood pressure and heart rate (Chevallier 1996, Malhotra et
al 1965a). The withanolides have a chemical structure similar to cardiac
glycosides and have demonstrated mild ionotropic and chronotropic effects
on the heart (Roja et al 1991, Tripathi et al 1996).
THYROID MODULATING
BENEFITS OF ASHWAGANDHA
An in vivo study reported that
daily administration of Ashwagandha root extract enhanced serum T4 concentration
(Panda & Kar 1998, 1999).
ASHWAGANDHA AS A SEXUAL
ENHANCER
Traditionally used for this
purpose, one double-blind clinical trial found that a dose of 3 g taken
daily for 1 year improved the sexual performance of 71.4% of healthy aging
males (Kupparajan et al 1980).
HEPATOPROTECTIVE BENEFITS
OF ASHWAGANDHA
Animal studies have demonstrated
hepatoprotective effects (Bhattacharya A et al 2000, Sudhir et al 1986)
and that withania inhibits phase I, and activates phase II and antioxidant
enzymes in the liver (Padmavathi et al 2005).
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