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THE CORRECTLY STANDARDIZED ASHWAGANDHA
Introduction
Sabinsa’s standardized herbal extract, Shagandha®, is prepared from the dried roots of Withania somnifera, the scientific name for the ancient Ayurvedic herb, Ashwagandha. It is commonly known as Indian Ginseng or Winter Cherry and has recently seen a significant spike in popularity due to its numerous health benefits. Ashwagandha is one of the most renowned botanicals used in traditional Indian Ayurvedic preparations since the Vedic era, dating back 3000-4000 years.
In Sanskrit, the word Ashwagandha is derived from “ashwa,” meaning horse, and “gandha,” meaning smell, which refers to the strong horse-like odor of its roots. Ashwagandha has been traditionally researched for its potential to support various aspects of health. Historically, it has been explored for its adaptogenic properties, as well as its potential to support focus, attention, and emotional balance. Few studies have also highlighted the beneficial effects of Ashwagandha on physical stamina, demonstrating its ability to enhance muscle strength and endurance, boost vigor and vitality, modulate the immune system, and promote overall well-being.
Traditional Significance
Traditionally Ashwagandha has been used in therapeutics for many centuries. Ayurveda, the ancient system of medicine propagates the use of Ashwagandha for Rasayana, meaning “rejuvenating tonic.” It was routinely used in people of all ages for a range of imbalances. Other areas of interest include respiratory well-being, skin health, mood support, muscle support, cognitive protection, emotional balance, and sleep quality. Ashwagandha is also prominently featured in other traditional systems, such as Unani and Siddha, and is widely used in folk medicine as well.
Studies have revealed that ashwagandha has several pharmacological effects, such as reducing inflammation, enhancing reproductive health, and has useful effects on anxiety, stress, and insomnia. Research suggests it rejuvenates and tonifies the entire system on a cellular level helping to increase stamina, endurance, and improve overall health and longevity (1).
Shagandha®
Sabinsa’s Shaganda® extract is a standardized formulation derived from the dried roots of Withania somnifera, produced through solvent extraction. It contains a minimum of 2.5% Withanolides and 0.25% Withaferin A, guaranteeing consistent potency and efficacy. Shagandha® ensures its authenticity by complying with the US Pharmacopoeia-National Formulary (USP-NF) monograph, which was verified by a prominent botanical testing expert, Alkemist Labs.
Alkemist Labs performed an identity test using HPTLC to demonstrate that the material matches the reference standard for Withania somnifera root and a quantitative test for withanolides using HPLC. The quantitative HPLC testing validated that the amount of withanolides in Shagandha® consistently meets the 2.5% withanolide product specification claim. Both testing cases employed United States Pharmacopoeia (USP) techniques, which demonstrated Shagandha® as an authentic, unadulterated Ashwagandha.
Two recent clinical studies on Shagandha® have been published in peer-reviewed journals (Medicine andJournal of Integrative and Complementary Medicine) for the management of stress and anxiety using a dosage of 500 mg once daily, which was found to be safe and well-tolerated. Shagandha® is Halal and Kosher certified as well as Non-GMO Project Verified.
Pre-clinical Studies
Shagandha® is the most crucial phytochemical compound in a combination formula found in Sabinsa’s US Patent No. 10,864,242, which elaborates its role in the management of male sexual dysfunction. The experiment was conducted using male Wistar rats to assess reproductive performance, incorporating both behavioral and biochemical evaluations. The study demonstrated that it is safe and displays significant aphrodisiac potential.
Clinical Studies
In a 60-day, randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial, 50 healthy adults with mild to moderate stress were supplemented with 500 mg of Shagandha® plus 5 mg of BioPerine® (black pepper extract, standardized to contain a minimum of 95% piperine, used to enhance bioavailability) or placebo once daily at night after dinner. The participants showed an effective improvement in stress and anxiety scores as well as in quality of life. There was an improvement in serotonin levels and a reduction in stress-related markers, such as cortisol. Thus, the study suggests that Shagandha® can effectively improve stress levels and quality of life, highlighting its potential as a supplement for managing stress and enhancing well-being (2).
In a 3-month, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 70 participants with mild to moderate depression and anxiety were supplemented with 500 mg Shagandha® along with 5 mg BioPerine® once a day after dinner. At the end of the study, the participants taking Shagandha® showed a reduction in anxiety and depression scores and an improvement in quality of sleep and quality of life. Increased levels of serum serotonin were also detected. The study suggested that Shagandha® was safe and well-tolerated by all the participants (3).
Dr. Umar Jan, MBA
President European Operations
umar.jan@sabinsa.com
Shaheen Majeed
Global CEO & Managing Director | Sami-Sabinsa Group
ABOUT SABINSA
Sabinsa Corporation, founded in 1988 by Dr. Muhammed Majeed, pioneers a diverse range of evidence-based natural products, including herbal extracts, cosmeceuticals, minerals, and specialty fine chemicals. Their mission is to enhance human functional nutrition and well-being through innovative and scientifically backed solutions.
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References and notes
References and notes
- Muhammed Majeed, Kalyanam Nagabhushanam, L N Misra, Narayanan K Narayanan, Lakshmi Mundkur, Anju Majeed. Ashwagandha: The Antiaging and Neuroprotective Adaptogen. NutriScience Publishers, LLC; 2021.
- Majeed M, Nagabhushanam K, Mundkur L. 2023. A standardized Ashwagandha root extract alleviates stress, anxiety, and improves quality of life in healthy adults by modulating stress hormones: Results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. Medicine (Baltimore). 102(41): e35521. doi: 10.1097/MD.0000000000035521. https://journals.lww.com/md-journal/fulltext/2023/10130/a_standardized_ashwagandha_root_extract_alleviates.42.aspx
- Majeed M, Nagabhushanam K, Murali A, Vishwanathan DT, Mamidala RV, Mundkur L. 2024. A Standardized Withania somnifera (Linn.) Root Extract with Piperine Alleviates the Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression by Increasing Serotonin Levels: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study. J Integr Complement Med. 30(5): 459-468. doi: 10.1089/jicm.2023.0279. https://www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1089/jicm.2023.0279
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