Funded in part by Arjuna Natural Extracts Ltd
An investigation into the stress-relieving and pharmacological actions of an ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) extract: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study
Lopresti AL, Smith SJ, Malvi H, Kodgule R
Medicine · 123 citations
Review labels
Neutral facts our review recorded about how this study was done. They describe method, never whether we like the result.
How it was studied
- Design
- Randomized controlled trial (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Industry funded
- Company
- Arjuna Natural Extracts Ltd
- Authors
- At least one author declares a financial tie to industry
Based on 1 listed funder(s) and full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2019-09-01 · Medicine (Baltimore) · vol. 98 · issue 37 · p. e17186
- Publisher
- Wolters Kluwer
- Cited
- 235 citations · more than 100% of similar papers · 17.3× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 49 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions · Cardiac Health and Mental Health
- Keywords
- Withania somnifera, Medicine, Placebo, Anxiolytic, Anxiety, Testosterone (patch), Adverse effect, Randomized controlled trial, Rating scale, DASS, Internal medicine, Traditional medicine, Psychiatry, Psychology, Alternative medicine
- MeSH
- humans, dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate, testosterone, hydrocortisone, anti-anxiety agents, plant extracts, treatment outcome, phytotherapy, double-blind method, stress, psychological, anxiety, adult, female, male
4 authors
From AU, IN
- Adrian L. Lopresti · correspondingMurdoch University
- Stephen James SmithMurdoch University
- Hakeemudin MalviBhopal Memorial Hospital & Research Centre
- Rahul Kodgule
Abstract
Background
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) is a herb traditionally used to reduce stress and enhance wellbeing. The aim of this study was to investigate its anxiolytic effects on adults with self-reported high stress and to examine potential mechanisms associated with its therapeutic effects.
Methods
In this 60-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study the stress-relieving and pharmacological activity of an ashwagandha extract was investigated in stressed, healthy adults. Sixty adults were randomly allocated to take either a placebo or 240 mg of a standardized ashwagandha extract (Shoden) once daily. Outcomes were measured using the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale -21 (DASS-21), and hormonal changes in cortisol, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulphate (DHEA-S), and testosterone.
Results
All participants completed the trial with no adverse events reported. In comparison with the placebo, ashwagandha supplementation was associated with a statistically significant reduction in the HAM-A (P = .040) and a near-significant reduction in the DASS-21 (P = .096). Ashwagandha intake was also associated with greater reductions in morning cortisol (P < .001), and DHEA-S (P = .004) compared with the placebo. Testosterone levels increased in males (P = .038) but not females (P = .989) over time, although this change was not statistically significant compared with the placebo (P = .158).
Conclusions
These findings suggest that ashwagandha's stress-relieving effects may occur via its moderating effect on the hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal axis. However, further investigation utilizing larger sample sizes, diverse clinical and cultural populations, and varying treatment dosages are needed to substantiate these findings.
Trial registration
Clinical Trials Registry-India (CTRI registration number: CTRI/2017/08/009449; date of registration 22/08/2017).
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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