Effects of <i>Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal</i> (Ashwagandha) on cognitive and physical function in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Zhu X, Zeng Q, Lei Y, Xu D
Frontiers in pharmacology · 1 citation
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
- Government
- Sanming Project of Medicine in Shenzhen
Based on 1 listed funder(s) and full-text disclosure statement.
Publication
- Published
- 2026-05-11 · Front Pharmacol · vol. 17 · p. 1799467
- Publisher
- Frontiers Media
- Cited
- 2 citations · more than 97% of similar papers · 8.4× the field average
- Impact
- Top 10% most cited in its field
- References
- 43 works
- Access
- Open access (journal) · CC-BY
- Research areas
- Phytochemicals and Medicinal Plants · Piperaceae Chemical and Biological Studies · Mindfulness and Compassion Interventions
- Keywords
- Withania somnifera, Cognition, Confidence interval, Meta-analysis, Randomized controlled trial, Systematic review, Subgroup analysis, MEDLINE
4 authors
From CN
- Xiaoling ZhuQinghai University
- Qiang Zeng
- Yuyu LeiQinghai University
- Danping Xu · correspondingQinghai University
Abstract
Background
This study aimed to systematically review and evaluate the effects of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Solanaceae) supplementation on cognitive and physical function in adults by meta-analysis.
Methods
Following PRISMA guidelines, we searched PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase from inception to 1 February 2026. Ramdom control trials were included to evaluate the effects of Ashwagandha on cognitive function, musclestrength, testosterone, body weight, and body fat percentage by meta-analysis using Stata 14. A random-effects model was used to calculate standardized mean differences (SMD) with 95% confidence intervals. To assess the heterogeneity, sensitivity analyses and subgroup analyses were conducted. Methodological quality and risk of bias were assessed with RoB 2, evidence certainty for each outcome was evaluated with GRADE system, and botanical reporting was assessed with the ConPhyMP checklist.
Results
Twenty studies with 1,249 participants were included. Ashwagandha significantly improved memory (SMD = 0.52; 95% CI: 0.27-0.78; P 2 = 29.7%), attention and processing speed (SMD = 0.29; 95% CI: 0.07-0.51; P = 0.009; I2 = 0%), and executive function (SMD = -0.42; 95% CI: -0.70 to -0.13; P = 0.004; I2 = 37.5%). Visuospatial ability improved after excluding one heterogeneous study (SMD = 0.39; 95% CI: 0.08-0.70; P = 0.013; I2 = 0%). Only one study assessed global cognition and reported significant improvement. For physical outcomes, Ashwagandha increased testosterone (SMD = 0.33; 95% CI: 0.13-0.54; P = 0.001; I2 = 20.8%) and muscle strength (SMD = 0.58; 95% CI: 0.12-1.04; P = 0.013; I2 = 56.9%). Subgroup analysis showed significant muscle strength gains in physically active individuals (SMD = 1.03; 95% CI: 0.56-1.49; P 2 = 0%) but not in untrained or special populations. No significant effects were observed on body weight or body fat percentage. Sensitivity analyses confirmed robustness, and most studies were rated as high or moderate quality.
Conclusion
Ashwagandha supplementation significantly improved several aspects of cognitive function (including global cognitive, memory, attention and processing speed, executive function, and visuospatial ability), as well as serum testosterone and muscle strength in adults, but did not affect body weight or body fat percentage.
Systematic review registration
https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/view/CRD420261292996.
Abstract via Europe PMC. Copyright remains with the authors or publisher (CC BY).
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