How long ago Ashwagandha benefits were found?

Traditionally, Ashwagandha is a well-established medicinal herb in Ayurveda (Indian traditional medicinal system). In the traditional medicinal system (TMS), Ashwagandha is popularly known as ‘queen of herbs. The Scientific name of Ashwagandha is Withania somnifera. Since ages, it has been believed that Ashwagandha has an adaptogenic/anti-stress property. Ashwagandha root acts as a tonic, aphrodisiac, narcotic, diuretic, anthelmintic, astringent, thermogenic and stimulant.

What are the phytochemicals present in Ashwagandha?

The chemical constituents of Ashwagandha include three naturally obtained powerful antioxidants, superoxide dismutase, catalase, and glutathione peroxidase. Ashwagandha also contains two major anti-stress components, including Sitoindosides and acylsteryl glucosides, which is effective to balance the acute stress level. Ashwagandha root also contains Glycowithanolides withaferin- A and sitoindosides VII–X. Ashwagandha Root contains Withanolide sulfoxide, a phytochemical, which acts against the human gastric, breast, central nervous system, and colon cancer cell lines.

What is the Mode of action of Ashwagandha root benefits?

• The chemical constituents of Ashwagandha have powerful antioxidant properties. Altogether these active constituents of Ashwagandha improve stress tolerability during physical performance. Several studies have suggested that Ashwagandha improves the hemoglobin (Hb) count and red blood cell (RBC) count, which are important factors determining the cardiovascular performance of an elite athlete. The increase in RBC mass leads to an increase in the capacity of blood to transport oxygen at a greater capacity to the peripheral system, thus ensuring a greater VO2 max.
• The antioxidant property of Ashwagandha is obtained by improving antioxidative enzymatic activity.
• This herbal ingredient can decrease nitric oxide, corticosterone, oxidative stress and acetylcholine esterase activity in the hippocampal region. [5]Ashwagandha is beneficial to prevent modification of antioxidant enzyme activities, catecholamine content, binding of dopaminergic D2 receptor and the tyrosine hydroxylase expression and effective improve neuronal functioning.
• Ashwagandha herb demonstrated that cytotoxicity activity against many cancer cell lines by following multiple mechanisms of actions including inhibition of the lipid peroxide formation, complete suppression of TNF-induced NF-kappa B activation, inhibitory effect on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell.
• Ashwagandha can decrease stress levels, improve the anti-oxidant level, which affects the overall semen quality.
• Ashwagandha causes significant enhancement of HMG-CoA reductase activity and bile acid content of the liver. This herb also increases the excretion of bile acid, cholesterol and neutral sterol in the hypercholesteremic condition and reduces the cholesterol level.
• Ashwagandha can up-regulate Th1, which helps to modulate immune functioning.
• Vanisree Mulabagal and co-workers at Michigan State University, through laboratory tests, showed that Ashwagandha can inhibit the enzyme activity of COX-2 and thus can control inflammation and related pain.
• Ashwagandha increases hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity and provides a hepatoprotective effect.

What are the different Forms of Ashwagandha?

The medicinal property of Ashwagandha mainly obtained from its root. The dried root of Ashwagandha has many traditional applications. The following are different forms of Ashwagandha root.

• Ashwagandha root powder: Enhances general strength
• Ashwagandha capsule: Dietary supplement
• Ashwagandha juice

What are Ashwagandha benefits?

Ashwagandha root benefits are due to Anti-stress activity

The active constituents of Ashwagandha increase significant physical endurance and effective to balance the acute stress level.It has been assumed that stress-induced diseases like arteriosclerosis, premature aging, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and cancer can also be prevented or controlled by Ashwagandha root.

ASHWAGANDHA Benefits heart functioning

Adaptogenic/anti-stress activity of Ashwagandhasignificantly improves aerobic performance with regard to cardio-respiratory and cardiovascular endurance. The antioxidant property ofAshwagandha significantly decreases lipid peroxidation and effective to treat stress-oriented hypertension. Ashwagandha root also possesses hypocholesterolemic properties. Animal study reports showed a significant reduction of total lipids, cholesterol, and triglycerides in plasma in hypercholesteremic animals after treating with Ashwagandha root. Additionally, treatment with Ashwagandha root can cause significant enhancement of HDL-cholesterol levels in plasma.

Ashwagandha benefits for Diabetes

Ashwagandha root can induce hypoglycemia in non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM), also known as type 2 diabetes mellitus in human subjects. This herb has a regulatory effect on diabetes-induced complications such as alteration of the gonadal hormone levels, especially; progesterone and is also effective in lowering serum FSH levels.

Ashwagandha benefits for Brain

Ashwagandha root extract has potential GABA-mimetic activity (GABA is a neurotransmitter, which controls motor and vision activity in the cortex) and useful to treat tardive dyskinesia (a neurological disorder characterized by involuntary movements of the face and jaw). Treatment with Ashwagandha promotes the growth of nerves within 7 days. [1] A laboratory-based study had shown that these active constituents have the potential effect of reversing ibotenic acid-induced cognitive defects in Alzheimer’s disease model.

In Ayurveda, Ashwagandha is used to treat children with memory shortfalls, even treatment is applicable for an adult or elderly person suffering from memory impairment due to any chronic illness or head injury. A recent animal study conducted in 2013 provided evidence that the administration of Ashwagandha root extract prevented memory impairment and neurodegenerative diseases.

Immunomodulatory activity

Ashwagandha root has Immunomodulatory activity, which prevents different disease conditions by increasing the circulating antibody, plaque-forming cells formation in the spleen and phagocytic activity.

Ashwagandha benefits for Mood and Weight loss

Ashwagandha is good for anxiety and can act as a mood stabilizer. A randomized double-blind study showed that Ashwagandha (300 mg) root benefits in reducing stress levels and food cravings, while improves the feeling of happiness and promoting weight loss.

Ashwagandha benefits for Liver

Ashwagandha root improves the anti-peroxidation of hepatic tissue by increasing hepatic glucose-6-phosphatase activity.

Ashwagandha benefits thyroid

This herbal remedy can also stimulate thyroidal activity by increasing serum 3,3′,5-triiodothyronine (T3) and tetraiodothyronine (T4) concentrations. This way Ashwagandha is good for hypothyroidism.

Ashwagandha benefits for men

The anti-stress effect of ashwagandha root is wide and can also improve male infertility. The study report showed that stress inversely affects male fertility by decreasing semen quality. The human study result reported that root powder of Ashwagandha at a rate of 5 gram/day for 3 months can decrease stress level, improve the anti-oxidants level and can affect the overall semen quality in a significant number of treated individuals. As a result of this, 14% of partners of the patients became pregnant within a certain period of time.

Ashwagandha root benefits in anticancer activity

The root of Ashwagandha showed its cytotoxic effect against lung, colon, central nervous system, and breast cancer cell lines. Ashwagandha root may synergize the effect of conventional chemotherapy or radiation therapy, as the study found that Ashwagandha root has an inhibitory effect on the Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell and the positive outcome depends upon the stage of cancer and duration of the Ashwagandha therapy. The antioxidant property of Ashwagandha acts against free radicals accumulation and protects against cellular damage.

Ashwagandha benefits joint pain

The potent analgesic and anti-inflammatory activity of ashwagandha can control arthritis pain symptoms.

Ashwagandha benefits for skin

The aqueous paste of crushed root can help in reducing spot marks when applied locally on boils or blemishes.

Ashwagandha Side effects and precautionary measures

Ashwagandha root is safe to use when it has taken in a proper dose. But in large doses, it can cause gastrointestinal-related disorder, including diarrhea, stomach upset and vomiting.

When Should I avoid Ashwagandha?

Ashwagandha or Withania somnifera is not recommended for pregnant women.

References

• Narendra Singh et al. An Overview on Ashwagandha: A Rasayana (Rejuvenator) of Ayurveda; Afr J Tradit Complement Altern Med. 2011; 8(5 Suppl): 208–213.
• Shweta Shenoy et al. Effects of eight-week supplementation of Ashwagandha on cardiorespiratory endurance in elite Indian cyclists; J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2012 Oct-Dec; 3(4): 209–214.

• Mulabagal Vet al. Withanolide sulfoxide fromAswagandharoots inhibits nuclear transcription factor-kappa-B, cyclooxygenase and tumor cell proliferation; Phytother Res. 2009 Jul;23(7):987-92. DOI: 10.1002/ptr.2736;

• Mahdi AA et al. Withania somnifera Improves Semen Quality in Stress-Related Male Fertility; Evid Based Complement Alternat Med. 2009 Sep 29; 

• Visavadiya NP, Narasimhacharya AV.; Hypocholesteremia and antioxidant effects of Withania somnifera (Dunal) in hypercholesteremic rats; Phytomedicine.2007 Feb;14(2-3):136-42.

• Bani S, Gautam M, Sheikh FA, Khan B, Satti NK, Suri KA, Qazi GN, Patwardhan B.; Selective Th1 up-regulating activity of Withania somnifera aqueous extract in an experimental system using flow cytometry; J Ethnopharmacol. 2006 Aug 11;107(1):107-15. Epub 2006 Apr 5;

• Mansi B. Modi et al Clinical evaluation of Ashokarishta, Ashwagandha Churna and Praval Pishti in the management of menopausal syndrome; Ayu. 2012 Oct-Dec; 33(4): 511–516.; 

• Panda S, Kar A.; Changes in thyroid hormone concentrations after administration of ashwagandha root extract to adult male mice; J Pharm Pharmacol.1998 Sep;50(9):1065-8;

• Ashwini Kumar et al. Exploratory study to evaluate tolerability, safety, and activity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in healthy volunteers;  J Ayurveda Integr Med. 2012 Jul-Sep; 3(3): 111–114. 

• Sierra Bright(2016); Remarkable Benefits of Ashwagandha; http://www.naturallivingideas.com/ashwagandha-benefits/