ashwagandha aritcle

[Guest guest]

Here is some info about ashwagandha, (from Ray Sahalian's web site),

in case anyone is interested. (I have no affiliation with him or his

products.. : ) I've been taking it for about a month, and I think it

is helping to calm me down and also restore some " zip " that was

lacking.. : )

 

BTW, I believe that this shrub can be grown easily in California,

another herbalist metioned this in his website.. it's a great all-

around herb, apparently.

 

Scott.

 

http://www.raysahelian.com/ashwagandha.html

 

Ashwagandha

root ashwagandha benefit ashwagandha healing properties

 

Ashwagandha is a shrub cultivated in India and North America whose

roots have been used for thousands of years by Ayurvedic

practitioners. Ashwagandha root contains flavonoids and many active

ingredients of the withanolide class. Several studies over the past

few years have indicated that ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory,

anti-tumor , anti-stress, antioxidant, mind-boosting, immune-

enhancing, and rejuvenating properties (see studies at bottom of

page). Historically ashwagandha root has also been noted to have sex-

enhancing properties.

 

 

Antioxidant properties of Ashwagandha

Researchers from Banaras Hindu University in Varanasi, India, have

discovered that some of the chemicals within ashwagandha are

powerful antioxidants. They tested these compounds for their effects

on rat brain and found an increase in the levels of three natural

antioxidants — superoxide dismutase, catalase and glutathione

peroxidase. They say, " These findings are consistent with the

therapeutic use of ashwagandha as an Ayurvedic rasayana (health

promoter). The antioxidant effect of active principles of

ashwagandha root may explain, at least in part, the reported anti-

stress, cognition-facilitating, anti-inflammatory and anti-aging

effects produced by them in experimental animals, and in clinical

situations. "

 

Aphrodisiac properties of Ashwagandha

Ashwagandha is historically used as an aphrodisiac. Ashwagandha is

mentioned in the ancient Kama Sutra as an herb to be used for

heightening sexual experience, Ashwagandha has the ability to

restore sexual health and improve overall vitality while promoting a

calm state of mind. I have included an ashwagandha extract in a

libido product called Passion Rx -- it really works (see below).

Laboratory studies show ashwagandha can produce nitric oxide

which is known to dilate blood vessels.

 

Ashwagandha: a Mood Enhancing and Anti-anxiety Herb

The roots of ashwagandha are used extensively in Ayurveda, the

classical Indian system of medicine, and ashwagandha is categorized

as a rasayana, which are used to promote physical and mental health,

to provide defense against disease and adverse environmental factors

and to slow the aging process. In rodent studies ashwagandha has

been shown to reduce anxiety and have positive effect on mood.

 

Ashwagandha and the Brain

Ashwagandha is used in India to treat mental deficits in geriatric

patients, including amnesia. Researchers from the University of

Leipzig in Germany, wanted to find out which neurotransmitters were

influenced by ashwagandha. After injecting some of the chemicals in

ashwagandha into rats, they later examined slices of their brain and

found an increase in acetylcholine receptor activity.The researchers

say, " The drug-induced increase in acetylcholine receptor capacity

might partly explain the cognition-enhancing and memory-improving

effects of extracts from ashwagandha observed in animals and humans. "

A study done in 1991 at the Department of Pharmacology,

University of Texas Health Science Center indicated that extracts of

ashwagandha had GABA-like activity. This may account for this herb's

anti-anxiety effects.

A 2002 laboratory study indicates ashwagandha stimulates the

growth of axons and dendrites. A 2001 study in rodents showed

ashwagandha had memory boosting ability. A 2000 study with rodents

showed ashwagandha to have anti-anxiety and anti-depression effects.

 

 

Additional benefits of Ashwagandha

One small study (see bottom of page) found ashwagandha was able to

reduce blood sugar and cholesterol levels, and had a diuretic effect.

 

Ashwagandha Side Effects

Ashwagandha does not have any significant side effects reported in

the medical literature, but long term studies are not yet available.

Nevertheless, it is best to take breaks from use, for instance, one

can take a week off each month or take ashwagandha 3 or 4 times a

week as opposed to daily.

 

Ashwagandha Research Update

Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) - monograph.

 

Altern Med Rev. 2004 Jun;9(2):211-214.

Withania somnifera, also known as ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, or

winter cherry, has been an important herb in the Ayurvedic and

indigenous medical systems for over 3000 years. Historically, the

plant has been used as an aphrodisiac, liver tonic, anti-

inflammatory agent, and more recently to treat asthma, ulcers,

insomnia, and senile dementia. Clinical trials and animal research

support the use of ashwagandha for anxiety, cognitive and

neurological disorders, inflammation, and Parkinson's disease.

Ashwagandha's chemopreventive properties make it a potentially

useful adjunct for patients undergoing radiation and chemotherapy.

Ashwaganda is also used therapeutically as an adaptogen for patients

with nervous exhaustion, and debility due to stress, and as an

immune stimulant in patients with low white blood cell counts.

 

 

Anticarcinogenic activity of Withania somnifera Dunal against

Dalton's Ascitic Lymphoma.

J Ethnopharmacol. 2004 Aug;93(2-3):359-61.

The effect of ethanolic extract of the root of Withania somnifera

against Dalton's Ascitic Lymphoma has been evaluated in Swiss albino

mice. A significant increase in the life span and a decrease in the

cancer cell number and tumour weight were noted in the tumour-

induced mice after treatment with ashwagandha. The hematological

parameters were also corrected by ashwagandha in tumor-induced mice.

These observations are suggestive of the protective effect of

ashwagandha in Dalton's Ascitic Lymphoma.

 

The in vitro antibacterial/synergistic activities of Withania

somnifera (ashwagandha) extracts.

Fitoterapia. 2004 Jun;75(3-4):385-8.

The methanol, hexane and diethyl ether extracts from both leaves and

roots of ashwagandha were evaluated for the

antibacterial/synergistic activity by agar plate disc-diffusion

assay against Salmonella typhimurium and Escherichia coli. Different

concentrations of Tibrim, a combination of rifampicin and isoniazid,

were tested to find out the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC),

which came out to be 0.1 mg/ml for S. typhimurium and E. coli. From

the six extracts tested, only ashwagandha methanol and hexane

extracts of both leaves and roots were found to have potent

antibacterial activity. A synergistic increase in the antibacterial

effect of Tibrim was noticed when MIC of Tibrim was supplemented

with these ashwagandha extracts.

 

Cardioprotection from ischemia and reperfusion injury by Withania

somnifera (ashwagandha)

Mol Cell Biochem. 2004 May;260(1-2):39-47.

The efficacy of ashwagandha to limit myocardial injury after

ischemia and reperfusion was explored and compared to that of

Vitamin E, a reference standard known to reduce mortality and

infarct size due to myocardial infarction. Wistar rats were divided

into six groups and received orally saline (sham, control group),

ashwagandha 50/kg (ashwagandha -control and treated group) and Vit E-

100 mg/kg (Vit E control and treated group) respectively for 1

month. On the 31st day, rats of the control, Vit E and Ws treated

groups were anesthetized and subjected to 45 min occlusion of the

LAD coronary artery followed by 60 min reperfusion. Hemodynamic

parameters: systolic, diastolic and mean arterial pressure (SAP,

DAP, MAP), heart rate (HR), left ventricular end diastolic pressure

were monitored. Hearts were removed and processed for

histopathological and biochemical studies: Myocardial enzyme,

creatine phosphokinase (CPK), and antioxidant parameters:

malondialdehyde (MDA), glutathione (GSH), superoxide dismutase

(SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSHPx) were

estimated. Postischemic reperfusion produced significant cardiac

necrosis, depression of left ventricular functions and a significant

fall in GSH, SOD, CAT, LDH and CPK as well as an increase in MDA

level in the control group rats as compared to sham group.

Ashwagandha and Vitamin E favorably modulated most of the

hemodynamic, biochemical and histopathological parameters though no

significant restoration in GSH, MAP (with Vit E) were observed.

Ashwagandha on chronic administration markedly augmented

antioxidants (GSH, GSHPx, SOD, CAT) while Vit E did not stimulate

the synthesis of endogenous antioxidants compared to sham. Results

indicate that ashwagandha significantly reduced myocardial injury

and emphasize the beneficial action of ashwagandha as a

cardioprotective agent.

 

Growth inhibition of human tumor cell lines by withanolides from

Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) leaves.

Life Sci. 2003 Nov 21;74(1):125-32.

Ayurvedic medicines prepared in India consist of Withania somnifera

roots ( ashwagandha ) as one of the main ingredients. Ashwagandha is

consumed as a dietary supplement around the world. The leaves of

ashwagandha were used in the treatment of tumors and inflammation in

several Asian countries. We have isolated twelve withanolides from

the leaves of this species. Compounds were tested for their anti-

proliferative activity lung, colon, central nervous system and

Breast human tumor cell lines. Withaferin A and its derivatives

exhibited inhibitory concentrations. Viscosalactone B (12) showed

the 50% inhibition. Therefore, incorporation of ashwagandha in the

diet may prevent or decrease the growth of tumors in human.

 

 

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) attenuates antioxidant defense in

aged spinal cord and inhibits copper induced lipid peroxidation and

protein oxidative modifications.

Drug Metabol Drug Interact. 2003;19(3):211-22.

Ashwagandha is classified in Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of

medicine, as a rasayana, a group of plant-derived drugs which

promote physical and mental health, augment resistance of the body

against disease and diverse adverse environmental factors,

revitalize the body in debilitated conditions and increase

longevity. We investigated the effects of Ashwagandha on copper-

induced lipid peroxidation and antioxidant enzymes in aging spinal

cord of Wistar rats. The activity of glutathione peroxidase (GPx)

decreased significantly in the spinal cord from adult to aged mice.

Treatment with Ashwagandha successfully attenuated GPx activity and

inhibited lipid peroxidation in a dose dependent manner. Ashwagandha

inhibited both the lipid peroxidation and protein oxidative

modification induced by copper. These effects were similar to those

of superoxide dismutase and mannitol. The results indicate the

therapeutic potential of Ashwagandha in aging and copper-induced

pathophysiological conditions.

 

Induction of nitric oxide synthase expression by Withania somnifera

in macrophages.

Iuvone T, Esposito G, Life Sci. 2003 Feb 21;72(14):1617-25.

Withania somnifera (ashwagandha, Indian ginseng) is an

immunostimulant herbal medicine used to improve overall health and

prevent diseases, particularly in the elderly. However, the

mechanisms underlying its immunostimulant effect is poorly

understood. To elucidate the mechanism of Withania somnifera, we

investigated the effect of a methanolic extract from the root of

Ashwagandha on nitric oxide (NO) production in J774 macrophages. We

found that ashwagandha produced a significant and concentration-

dependent increase in NO production. Moreover, western blot analysis

showed that Ashwagandha increased, in a concentration-dependent

fashion, inducible NOS protein expression. These results demonstrate

that ashwagandha may induce the synthesis of inducible NOS

expression likely by acting at transcriptional level. The increased

NO production by macrophages could account, at least in part, for

the immunostimulant properties of ashwagandha.

 

Axon- or dendrite-predominant outgrowth induced by constituents from

Ashwagandha.

Kuboyama T.. Neuroreport. 2002 Oct 7;13(14):1715-20.

We previously reported that the methanol extract of Ashwagandha

(roots of Dunal) induced dendrite extension in a human neuroblastoma

cell line. In this study, we found that six of the 18 compounds

isolated from the methanol extract enhanced neurite outgrowth in

human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. In withanolide A-treated cells,

the length of NF-H-positive processes was significantly increased

compared with vehicle-treated cells, whereas, the length of MAP2-

positive processes was increased by withanosides IV and VI. These

results suggest that axons are predominantly extended by withanolide

A, and dendrites by withanosides IV and VI. ashwagandha ashwagandha

root mucuna and ashwagandha ashwagandha thyroid ashwagandha herb.

 

Hypoglycemic, diuretic and hypocholesterolemic effect of winter

cherry (Withania somnifera, Dunal) root.

Indian J Exp Biol. 2000 Jun;38(6):607-9.

Hypoglycemic, diuretic and hypocholesterolemic effects of roots of

W. somnifera (ashwagandha) were assessed on human subjects. Six mild

NIDDM subjects and six mild hypercholesterolemic subjects were

treated with the powder of roots of ashwagandha for 30 days.

Suitable parameters were studied in the blood and urine samples of

the subjects along with dietary pattern before and at the end of

treatment period. Decrease in blood glucose was comparable to that

of an oral hypoglycemic drug. Significant increase in urine sodium,

urine volume, significant decrease in serum cholesterol,

triglycerides, LDL (low density lipoproteins) and VLDL (very low

density lipoproteins) cholesterol were observed indicating that root

of ashwagandha is a potential source of hypoglycemic, diuretic and

hypocholesterolemic agents. Clinical observations revealed no

adverse effects.

 

Scientific basis for the therapeutic use of Withania somnifera

(ashwagandha): a review.

Altern Med Rev. 2000 Aug;5(4):334-46. Mishra LC, Singh BB, Dagenais

S.

Los Angeles College of Chiropractic Whittier, CA

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this paper is to review the literature

regarding Withania somnifera (ashwagandha) a commonly used herb in

Ayurvedic medicine. Specifically, the literature was reviewed for

articles pertaining to chemical properties, therapeutic benefits,

and toxicity. DESIGN: This review is in a narrative format and

consists of all publications relevant to ashwagandha that were

identified by the authors through a systematic search of major

computerized medical databases; no statistical pooling of results or

evaluation of the quality of the studies was performed due to the

widely different methods employed by each study. RESULTS: Studies

indicate ashwagandha possesses anti-inflammatory, antitumor,

antistress, antioxidant, immunomodulatory, hemopoietic, and

rejuvenating properties. It also appears to exert a positive

influence on the endocrine, cardiopulmonary, and central nervous

systems. The mechanisms of action for these properties are not fully

understood. Toxicity studies reveal that ashwagandha appears to be a

safe compound. CONCLUSION: Preliminary studies have found various

constituents of ashwagandha exhibit a variety of therapeutic effects

with little or no associated toxicity. These results are very

encouraging and indicate this herb should be studied more

extensively to confirm these results and reveal other potential

therapeutic effects. Clinical trials using ashwagandha for a variety

of conditions should also be conducted.

 

 

Evaluation of the anti-proliferative and anti-oxidative activities

of leaf extract from in vivo and in vitro raised Ashwagandha.

Food Chem Toxicol. 2004 Dec;42(12):2015-20.

Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) is used in Indian traditional

medicine, Ayurveda and is believed to have a variety of health

promoting effects. Molecular mechanisms and pathways underlying

these effects have not been studied. We tried to characterize

various activities of leaf extract of Ashwagandha (Lash) raised in

the field and in the laboratory. We found that the Lash from field-

raised plants has a significant anti-proliferative activity in human

tumorigenic cells. However, it did not impart any protection against

the oxidative damage caused by high glucose and hydrogen peroxide to

human tumor cells suggesting that it can be used as an anti-tumor,

but not as an anti-oxidant, substance.

 

Withaferin A is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis.

Angiogenesis. 2004;7(2):115-22.

The medicinal plant ashwagandha is widely researched for its anti-

inflammatory, cardioactive and central nervous system effects. In

Ayurveda , the major Traditional Indian medicine system, extracts

from ashwagandha are distinctively employed for the treatment of

arthritis and menstrual disorders. Because these conditions involve

angiogenic processes we hypothesized that the ashwagandha extracts

might contain angiogenesis inhibitors. We employed an endothelial

cell-sprouting assay to monitor the purification of substances from

ashwagandha root extracts and isolated as the active principle the

previously known natural product withaferin A. In conclusion, our

findings identify a novel mode of action of withaferin A, which

highlights the potential use of this ashwagandha extract for cancer

treatment or prevention.

 

Ashwagandha emails

Q. I have the following questions on the proper use of taking

Ashwagangha: 1. As this is an Ayurvedic herb, are there any dietary

restrictions when taking Ashwagandha??. I am from India, and I

remember that when ever we took Ayurvedic medication, certain foods

were to be avoided.

2. You had suggested taking ashwagandha 2 or 3 times a day. What is

the best time to take, on empty stomach, or during and/or after

meals. I also found, that ashwagandha makes you sort of sleepy

during the day time. So, please let me know what is the best time in

a 24 hour cycle to get proper rest during night time, but avoiding

feeling sleepy during the day!

A. There are no dietary restrictions with ashwagandha. Most herbs

are better absorbed on an empty stomach. In some people, certain

preparations of ashwagandha can lead to sleepiness or a very relaxed

feeling. For those who are tense and anxious, and hyper alert,

ashwagandha can be taken during the day, for others, ashwagandha is

best taken in the evening.