About Herbs

Bottom Line: While ashwagandha has shown an ability to hinder the growth of cancer cells in laboratory tests and enhance radiation therapy in animals, it is unknown if these effects can be replicated in humans.

A popular Ayurvedic medicinal substance derived from the root and berry of the plant. Ashwagandha contains numerous biologically active components. It is thought that some of these components can influence potent hormone-like substances that cause arthritis inflammation. Extracts of the root also increase the number of red and white blood cells and platelets in the blood. Ashwagandha has been shown to relax the central nervous system in animals. Studies in laboratories have shown that extracts of ashwagandha kill some cancer cells and enhance some immune cells. It is thought that the structure of ashwagandha extracts may damage the cancer cells ability to generate the energy it needs to reproduce. Ashwagandha also reduces the level of glutathione, an antioxidant, in tumor cells which may enhance the effects of radiation therapy against those cells. Studies in animals have demonstrated possible toxicity, however comparable effects have not been observed in humans.

Arthritis Pain:
Forty-two volunteers with osteoarthritis participated in a trial of a herbomineral formula containing ashwagandha. Volunteers were randomly assigned to receive either a combination of herbs and minerals or placebo for three months. After a fifteen-day washout period, treatments were reversed. Volunteers in the treatment group reported significant drops in pain severity and disability score with few side effects. Because a combination of herbs were used, it is unclear if ashwagandha played an important role in the results.

Withania somnifera. Family: Solanaceae

A popular Ayurvedic medicinal substance derived from the root and berry of the plant. This herb is often used as a component in formulations prescribed for stress, strain, fatigue, pain, skin diseases, diabetes, gastrointestinal disease, rheumatoid arthritis, and epilepsy ⁽¹⁾ . It is also used as a general tonic, to increase energy and improve health and longevity ⁽²⁾. Externally, it can be applied as a local analgesic ⁽³⁾. In vitro, Ashwagandha is effective against breast, central nervous system, colon and lung cancer cell lines ⁽⁴⁾. Animal studies suggested ashwagandha have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, immunomodulatory, antioxidant and anti-stress properties. Other studies have shown cytotoxic, chemopreventative, immunomodulating ⁽⁵⁾, and radiosensitizing effects ^{(1) (6) (7)}.The herb may also help prevent chemotherapy induced neutropenia ⁽⁸⁾. Small scale human study suggest Ashwagandha may promote growth in children and improve hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count and sexual performance in adults ⁽²⁾. A herbomineral formula containing ashwagandha was shown to benefit osteoarthritis in a clinical trial ⁽¹²⁾. Ashwagandha has also been found to be rich in iron ⁽²⁾. This herb may induce abortion. Pregnant women should avoid this herb ⁽¹¹⁾.

Alkaloids, steroidal lactones, saponins and withanolides are thought to be the biologically active components. Studies have pointed to cyclooxygenase inhibition as the cause of the herb's anti-arthritis properties. Ashwagandha's anti-inflammatory effects were comparable to hydrocortisone sodium succinate in rats. The root extract of the herb produced significant increases in hemoglobin concentration, red blood cell count, white blood cell count and platelet count. Ashwagandha has been shown to exhibit antioxidant effects in the brain and to have a tranquilizing effect on the central nervous system in animals ⁽²⁾. In vitro, isolates from the root of the plant have cytotoxic properties against H-460, HCT-116, SF-268 and MCF-7 cell lines ⁽⁴⁾. Ashwagandha increase cytotoxic T lymphocyte production ⁽⁵⁾. Other studies show ashwagandha's cytotoxicity is related to its structure and that it enhances ATPase and inhibits succinate dehydrogenase activity, impairing oxidative phosphorylation. In animal studies, ashwagandha can increase the effects of radiation therapy ⁽⁹⁾ and inhibits tumor growth ^{(1) (10)}. The herb also reduces tumor GSH levels which may contribute to the enhancement of radiation response ⁽⁶⁾. Ashwagandha can reverse paclitaxel induced neutropenia in mice ⁽⁸⁾. Significant toxicity was observed at high doses in animal studies ⁽⁹⁾, however, toxicity studies in humans are limited ⁽²⁾.

This herb may induce abortion. Pregnant women should avoid this herb ⁽¹¹⁾

May potentiate the sedative effect of barbiturates ⁽¹¹⁾.

Kulkarni RR, Patki PS, Jog VP, Gandage SG, Patwardhan B. Treatment of osteoarthritis with a herbomineral formulation: a double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over study. J Ethnopharmacol. 1991;33:91-5.

42 patients with osteoarthritis participated in a study of a herbomineral formula that included ashwagandha. Patients were randomly assigned to receive the herbomineral formula (900 mg ashwagandha three times daily) or placebo for three months. After a month-long washout period, cross-over followed. Following treatment, patients demonstrated statistically significant reductions in severity of pain and disability score. Because of the presence of other substances in the formula, it is unclear to what extent ashwagandha played a role in the treatment results.