Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (<i>Withania somnifera</i> (L.) <i>Dunal</i>) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions

Choudhary, Dnyanraj; Bhattacharyya, Sauvik; Bose, Santanu

doi:10.1080/19390211.2017.1284970

Cited by 142 publications

(76 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…They also reduce the risk of edema [119]. Currently, research is being conducted on other biological ingredients which could improve the memorization process [120,121]. To conclude, the results presented above demonstrate that the properties of Cornelian cherry compounds and the current trends in the application of plant leaves as ingredients of dietary supplements result in the purposefulness of research into the application of Cornus mas leaves in dietary and medicinal practice.…”

Section: Functional Food Products With Cornelian Cherrymentioning

confidence: 95%

Functional properties of Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.): a comprehensive review

Szczepaniak

Kobus‐Cisowska

Kusek

et al. 2019

Eur Food Res Technol

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Cornus mas, also known as the Cornelian cherry, is a plant that grows in Eastern Europe and the Middle East. Its green leaves and reddish oval fruits are associated with many beneficial properties such as antioxidative and anti-inflammatory effects. These features are driven by the rich polyphenolic composition, with anthocyanins and iridoids in Cornelian cherry fruits as well as flavonoids and phenolic acids in leaves. The antioxidant behavior as well as the composition significantly depends on the cultivar of the plant and its genotype. The functional properties of Cornelian cherry have been recognized in many in vitro and toxicological studies. Cornus mas fruits and their extracts have been found to have significant antiatherogenic, anti-inflammatory, and neuroprotective effects. The beneficial effect of C. mas fruits as a food component has been determined in numerous papers focused on functional food. However, there is no information in existing literature about C. mas leaves in functional food applications. This paper presents the results of current studies including their synthesis to answer the question whether the Cornelian cherry exhibits positive properties due to its bioactive compound content.

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Section: Functional Food Products With Cornelian Cherrymentioning

confidence: 95%

Functional properties of Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.): a comprehensive review

Szczepaniak

Kobus‐Cisowska

Kusek

et al. 2019

Eur Food Res Technol

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“…Experiments using animal models indicated cardioprotective, immunomodulatory, anti-diabetic and neuroprotective effects of Ashwagandha root extracts [12][13][14][15]. Clinical studies conducted in various conditions suggest that Ashwagandha root extract improves sexual performances in both males and females, aids in reducing and managing stress and anxiety, improves memory and cognition in healthy adults and patients with bipolar disorder [16][17][18][19][20]. This multipurpose herb also increases muscle strength, muscle size and supports in muscle recovery [21].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Insomnia and Anxiety: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study

Langade

Kanchi

Salve³

et al. 2019

Cureus

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Introduction Insomnia is a prevalent sleep disorder that can profoundly impact a person's physical health and mental wellbeing. Most of the currently available drugs for insomnia exert adverse effects. Hence, alternative herbal therapies could be effective in treating insomnia. Ashwagandha, a proven "Rasayana" from ancient Ayurveda is having the required potential to treat insomnia. Objective To determine the efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha root extract in patients with insomnia and anxiety. Methods This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study conducted at Prakruti Hospital, Kalwa, Maharashtra, India. A total of 60 patients were randomly divided into two groups: test (n = 40) and placebo (n = 20) in a randomization ratio of 2:1. Test product was a capsule containing highest concentration full-spectrum Ashwagandha root extract 300 mg, and the placebo was an identical capsule containing starch. Both treatments were given twice daily with milk or water for 10 weeks. Sleep actigraphy (Respironics Philips) was used for assessment of sleep onset latency (SOL), total sleep time (TST), sleep efficiency (SE) and wake after sleep onset (WASO). Other assessments were total time in bed (sleep log), mental alertness on rising, sleep quality, Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAM-A) scales. Results Two patients, one from each group, did not complete study and the per-protocol dataset (n = 58) included 29 and 19 patients from test and placebo, respectively. The baseline parameters were similar in the two groups at baseline. The sleep onset latency was improved in both test and placebo at five and 10 weeks. However, the SOL was significantly shorter (p, 0.019) after 10 weeks with test [29.00 (7.14)] compared to placebo [33.94 (7.65)]. Also, significant improvement in SE scores was observed with Ashwagandha which was 75.63 (2.70) for test at the baseline and increased to 83.48 (2.83) after 10 weeks, whereas for placebo the SE scores changed from 75.14

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“…In terms of limitations of current data, it must be acknowledged that there is still a paucity of rigorous clinical data to support the clinical efficacy of W. somnifera in ameliorating cognitive dysfunction in patients with dementia. In fact, only one clinical trial specifically examined the use of W. somnifera in adult patients with MCI Choudhary et al, ). It cannot be assumed that pro‐cognitive effects are generalizable across different conditions and disease states as they may have vastly different aetiologies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Overall, there is some clinical evidence, in the form of randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind trials, to support the cognitive benefits of W. somnifera supplementation. A heterogeneous study population was sampled, including children with mental retardation (Dave et al, 1993), healthy adults (Pingali et al, 2014), older adults with MCI (Choudhary et al, 2017), and adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder (Chengappa et al, 2018), or bipolar disorder (Chengappa et al, 2013). W. somnifera appears to be well tolerated, with good adherence and minimal side effects.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A systematic review of the clinical use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction

Loke

Foo

et al. 2019

Phytotherapy Research

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Many developed countries are experiencing a rapidly “greying” population, and cognitive decline is common in the elderly. There is no cure for dementia, and pharmacotherapy options to treat cognitive dysfunction provide limited symptomatic improvements. Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha), a popular herb highly valued in Ayurvedic medicine, has often been used to aid memory and cognition. This systematic review thus aimed to evaluate the clinical evidence base and investigate the potential role of W. somnifera in managing cognitive dysfunction. Using the following keywords [withania somnifera OR indian ginseng OR Ashwagandha OR winter cherry] AND [brain OR cognit* OR mental OR dementia OR memory], a comprehensive search of PubMed, EMBASE, Medline, PsycINFO and http://Clinicaltrials.gov databases found five clinical studies that met the study's eligibility criteria. Overall, there is some early clinical evidence, in the form of randomized, placebo‐controlled, double‐blind trials, to support the cognitive benefits of W. somnifera supplementation. However, a rather heterogeneous study population was sampled, including older adults with mild cognitive impairment and adults with schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, or bipolar disorder. In most instances, W. somnifera extract improved performance on cognitive tasks, executive function, attention, and reaction time. It also appears to be well tolerated, with good adherence and minimal side effects.

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Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal) Root Extract in Improving Memory and Cognitive Functions

Abstract: Ashwagandha may be effective in enhancing both immediate and general memory in people with MCI as well as improving executive function, attention, and information processing speed.

Cited by 142 publications

References 38 publications

Functional properties of Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.): a comprehensive review

Functional properties of Cornelian cherry (Cornus mas L.): a comprehensive review

Efficacy and Safety of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) Root Extract in Insomnia and Anxiety: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Study

A systematic review of the clinical use of Withania somnifera (Ashwagandha) to ameliorate cognitive dysfunction

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