Withania somnifera
(Ashawagandha) is very revered herb of the Indian Ayurvedic system of medicine as a
Rasayana (tonic). It is used for various kinds of disease processes and specially as a nervine tonic. Considering these facts
many scientific studies were carried out and its adaptogenic / anti-stress activities were studied in detail. In experimental
models it increases the stamina of rats during swimming endurance test and prevented adrenal gland changes of ascorbic acid
and cortisol content produce by swimming stress. Pretreatment with
Withania somnifera (WS) showed significance protection
against stress induced gastric ulcers. WS have anti-tumor effect on Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cell carcinoma. It was also
found effective against urethane induced lung-adenoma in mice. In some cases of uterine fibroids, dermatosarcoma, long
term treatment with WS controlled the condition. It has a Cognition Promoting Effect and was useful in children with
memory deficit and in old age people loss of memory. It was also found useful in neurodegenerative diseases such as
Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzeimer’s diseases. It has GABA mimetic effect and was shown to promote formation of
dendrites. It has anxiolytic effect and improves energy levels and mitochondrial health. It is an anti-inflammatory and antiarthritic
agent and was found useful in clinical cases of Rheumatoid and Osteoarthritis. Large scale studies are needed to
prove its clinical efficacy in stress related disorders, neuronal disorders and cancers.
