A recent study investigated the effects of a standardized ashwagandha root extract, marketed as Shagandha by Sabinsa Corp., on stress alleviation and the improvement of the quality of life in healthy adults. The ashwagandha extract is standardized to 2.5% withanolides. The 60-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involved 54 subjects who received either 500 mg of the ashwagandha extract or a placebo daily.The results of the study demonstrated significant improvements in perceived stress scale (PSS), generalized anxiety disorder (GAD-7), and quality of life (QOL) scores among those taking the ashwagandha extract compared to the placebo group. Moreover, cognitive assessment using the Cambridge Neuropsychological Test Automated Battery (CANTAB) revealed enhanced multitasking, concentration, and decision-taking time in the ashwagandha group. Analysis of biomarkers indicated that ashwagandha supplementation was associated with a notable reduction in morning salivary cortisol and an increase in urinary serotonin, compared to the placebo. However, serum levels of nitric oxide (NO), glutathione (GSH), and malondialdehyde (MDA) did not exhibit significant differences. Muhammed Majeed, PhD, the founder and chairman of Sabinsa Corporation, emphasized the importance of clinical studies in confirming the safety and efficacy of standardized herbal extracts, noting the study as another example of Sabinsa’s commitment to validating traditional knowledge of herbal benefits.
Source: https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2023/10130/a_standardized_ashwagandha_root_extract_alleviates.42.aspx
