Evaluation of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha) on Physical Performance, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Muscle Status in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study
Raut A, Tripathi R, Marathe PA, Uchil DA, Agashe S, Rege N, Vaidya AB
Cureus · 7 citations
How it was studied
- Design
- Randomized controlled trial (classified by our AI screen)
- Studied in
- People
- Main outcome
- Health markers and function
Who paid for it
- Funding
- Independent funding
Based on full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2024-09-08 · Cureus · vol. 16 · issue 9 · p. e68940
- Publisher
- Cureus, Inc.
- Cited
- 5 citations · more than 89% of similar papers · 2.5× the field average
- References
- 23 works
- Access
- Open access (free to publish) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants · Health, Education, and Aging · Phytochemistry Medicinal Plant Applications
- Keywords
- Withania somnifera, Medicine, Placebo, Inflammation, Traditional medicine, Double blind, Randomized controlled trial, Pharmacology, Physical therapy, Internal medicine, Pathology, Alternative medicine
7 authors
From IN
- Ashwinikumar Anand RautKasturba Hospital
- Raakhi Kaliprasad TripathiKing Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College
- Padmaja Anil MaratheKing Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College
- Dinesh UchilKing Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College
- Shubhada AgasheKasturba Hospital
- Nima RegeKing Edward Memorial Hospital and Seth G.S. Medical College
Abstract
Background
Sarcopenia is associated with chronic inflammation, a sedentary lifestyle, and ageing. However, there exists no drug, which is safe and effective for long-term use. Ashwagandha (Withaniasomnifera (L.) Dunal) has the potential to fill this therapeutic gap based on its efficacy and safety profile; hence, the present study was planned to evaluate its effect on inflammatory biomarkers and muscle status in healthy volunteers.
Methodology
A prospective, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical study was conducted to evaluate the effects of Ashwagandha extract in healthy volunteers (February 2021 to May 2022) who received either Ashwagandha extract tablets 250 mg or a placebo twice daily for 60 days. The physical performance on a bicycle ergometer, inflammatory/muscle status biomarkers, body composition, reaction time, hemogram, and organ function tests was assessed at baseline, day 30, and day 60.
Results
In the Ashwagandha group, there was a statistically significant (p2 max showed an increasing trend from V3 to V7, whereas the results of the three inflammatory markers (hs-C-reactive protein (CRP) mg/L; IL-6; TNF-alpha ) and the muscle marker (myostatin) revealed a decreasing trend from V3 to V7 in the Ashwagandha group. Ashwagandha extract was found to be safe in healthy volunteers as evidenced by the clinical profile, laboratory investigations, and reaction time test.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha extract supplementation was safe and effective in enhancing physical performance and strengthening muscle mass and could be a potential candidate for treating sarcopenia.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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