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Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha (Withania Somnifera) is a plant in the Solanaceae or nightshade family that has traditionally been used in African and Indian medicine. It grows as a short shrub reaching an average height of 170cm and growing abundantly in India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Traditionally it has been considered a sedative, adaptogen, and sexual enhancer. Often it is referred to as Indian ginseng because its uses in ayurvedic medicine are synonymous to those of ginseng in Chinese medicine. Aswagandha contains properties that are believed to make it useful as an anti-inflammatory, and fever suppressor. In India it has sometimes been used to treat mental deficits in geriatric patients. Recent studies have implied that ashwagandha can serve as an antioxidant, as well as an anti-inflammatory. According to Thiagarajan et. al, the antioxidant effects of ashwagandha may partially explain "reported anti-stress, immunomodulatory, cognition facilitating, anti-inflammatory, and anti-aging effects produced [in] experimental animals and in clinical situations" (2003).

Ashwagandha's many health benefits stem from the potent withanolides and alkaloids that it contains. 12 alkaloids and 35 withanolides have been isolated from ashwagandha and studied with promising results. Withanolides are a group of naturally occurring oxygenated ergostane-type steroids containing a lactone in their side chain and 2-en-1-one system in ring A. Clinical studies have shown that they may someday be part of cancer and arthritis treatment. One such study performed at the Anderson Cancer Institute found that withanolides can actually enhance apoptosis and suppress the negative effects of carcinogens such as tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1ß, doxorubicin, and cigarette smoke condensate (Haruyo et. al, 2006). Withanolides also serve as important precursors to human hormones. These compounds make Ashwagandha amphoteric, meaning that it can help regulate physiological processes.

The alkaloids also serve a significant purpose. Alkaloids are reported to have a calming effect. One study found that alkaloids from ashwagandha have effects on the nervous system. One study showed that alkaloids extracted from Ashwagandha caused relaxant and antispasmodic effects during induced muscle contraction. This data supports the use of Ashwagandha as a relaxant due to its alkaloid content (Malhorta, 1996).

In addition to the separate actions of Ashwagandha's components, its synergistic benefits must be considered as well. The many uses of this humble shrub are ancient, but only recently have they been approved by scientists. In a double blind study a daily 3g dosage of ashwagandha was given to a group of men ages 50-59 for one year. In that time significant improvements were seen in hemoglobin, red blood cell count, hair melanin, and stature (Bone K, 1996). Another series of studies have shown that Ashwagandha has profound effects on the hematopoietic system. It seems to be a very capable immunoregulator and chemoprotective agent (Kuttan G, 1996) (Ziauddin M, 1996). Studies have also indicated that Ashwagandha can also be held responsible for some cardiovascular protection by lowering some of the risk factors. After treatment with Ashwagandha extract, six hypercholesterolemic subjects showed decreases in serum cholesterol, triglycerides, and low-density lipoproteins (Andallu B, 2000). Still, there are so many more uses for Ashwagandha. It continues to hold its place in traditional remedies, while establishing its uses in modern medicine.

References

Bone K. Clinical Applications of Ayurvedic and Chinese Herbs. Monographs for the Western Herbal Practionar. Australia: Phytotherapy Press; 1996:137-141.

Kuttan G. Use of Withania somnifera Dunal as an adjuvant during radiation therapy. Indian J exp Biol 1996;34:854-856.

Ziauddin M, Phansalkar N, Patki P, et al. Studies on the immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha. J Ethnopharmacol 1996;50;69-76.

Andallu B, Radhika B. Hypogycemic, diuretic and hypocholesterolemic effect of winter cherry (Withania somnifera) root. Indian J Exp Biol 2000;38:607-609.

Haruyo Ichikawa, Yasunari Takada, Shishir Shishodia, Bolleddula Jayaprakasam, Muraleedharan G, Nair and Bharat B. Aggarwal. Mol Cancer Ther. 2006;5:1434 - 1445.

Thiagarajan G, Venu Talla, Balasubramanian D. (2003). Approaches to relieve the burden of cataract blindness through natural antioxidants: use of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera). Current Science. 85(7): 1065-1071.