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 anti-arthritic 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.