Effects of <i>Withania somnifera</i> on Cortisol Levels in Stressed Human Subjects: A Systematic Review
Della Porta M, Maier JA, Cazzola R
Nutrients · 20 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Systematic review (indexed by PubMed)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2023-12-05 · Nutrients · vol. 15 · issue 24 · p. 5015
- Publisher
- Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
- Cited
- 43 citations · more than 97% of similar papers · 4.2× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 62 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants · Stress Responses and Cortisol · Adrenal Hormones and Disorders
- Keywords
- Withania somnifera, Traditional medicine, Medicine, Biology, Internal medicine, Endocrinology, Alternative medicine, Pathology
- MeSH
- humans, withania, plants, medicinal, hydrocortisone, plant extracts, antioxidants
3 authors
From IT
- Matteo Giovanni Della Porta · correspondingUniversity of Milan
- Jeanette A.M. MaierUniversity of Milan
- Roberta CazzolaUniversity of Milan
Abstract
Background
Withania somnifera (WS), a popular medicinal plant of the Solanaceae family, contains active ingredients with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, and anti-stress activities. However, its precise mechanisms of action and optimal use as a supplement are not yet fully understood. The objective of this systematic review is to assess the impact of WS supplementation on cortisol levels in stressed humans by analyzing clinical trials conducted prior to May 2023.
Methods
The assessment was carried out following the guidelines of Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) by exploring the databases of EMBASE, PubMed, Google Scholar, CENTRAL, and Scopus.
Results
Of the 4788 articles identified, only 9 studies met the selection criteria. The selected studies varied in terms of design, results, formulations, dosages, and treatment duration (30-112 days), and involved subjects with varying degrees of stress. WS supplementation decreases cortisol secretion with no significant adverse effects. Nonetheless, none of the studies evaluated the potential impact of cortisol reduction on adrenal function and long-term effects.
Conclusions
Brief-term supplementation with WS appears to have a stress-reducing effect in stressed individuals. However, since the long-term effects of WS supplementation are not yet fully understood, WS supplements should be used under medical supervision.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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