Ashwaganda
Withania somnifera
(Ashwagandha) has historically been used as a strengthening herb. One of the
common names for W. somnifera is Indian ginseng. This hints at its restorative
properties. In fact, ashwagandha has historically been used in individuals who
are debilitated and who suffer from nervous exhaustion, emaciation and anemia.
In these individuals, ashwagandha is helpful in convalescence after acute
illness or stress, impotence, chronic disease with inflammation and bony
degeneration, as a general tonic, for hypertension and high cholesterol.
Efficacy
Ashwagandha has been shown to
have immunostimulatory, anticarcinogenic, and radiosensitizing effects in
preclinical studies. Immunostimulatory effects in chemotherapy induced
immunosuppression in mice were seen at a dose that corresponds to 4-6 g per day
in humans. When ashwagandha was combined with cyclophosphamide, it prevented
myelosuppression, resulted in a significant increase in hemoglobin
concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count, platelet count and
body weight as compared with untreated (cyclophosphamide only) mice.
Withaferin A, a constituent of
ashwagandha, has been shown to have anti-angiogenesis effect in-vitro in human
umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC). It also appears to have
antineoplastic effect on animal models and human cell lines.
Perhaps the most interesting
indication for ashwagandha is its radiosensitizing properties. At least five
in-vivo animal studies have confirmed a radiosensitizing effect of ashwagandha
in mice. The mice that received the ashwagandha experienced increased tumor
cure, growth delay of partially responding tumors and prolonged survival over
radiation.
Safety
In lab studies, ashwagandha has
been shown to be safe in doses up to 100 mg per kg of body weight in a single
dosage. This is equivalent to 21 gm per day in an average adult man. The
therapeutic dosage recommended by naturopathic physicians in most cases is
under 10 gm per day.
Recommendations
Despite promising pre-clinical
studies there is insufficient clinical oncology trial data of ashwagandha to
recommend its use during chemotherapy or radiation. Naturopathic physicians,
Ayurvedic physicians, and integrative oncologists sometimes prescribe
ashwagandha in the post-chemotherapy setting.
http://depts.washington.edu/integonc/clinicians/act/ashwaganda.shtml
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