Written by Chrystal Moulton, Science Writer. Researchers observed that average speed and total distance was statistically higher in the ashwagandha group compared to placebo (P< 0.05).
Sarcopenia is a gradual loss of skeletal mass due to aging1. Hormone therapy is usually recommended to treat sarcopenia since there is no medication approved for this ailment2,3. However, in men and women, hormone therapy increases the risk of prostate cancer, cardiovascular events, and virilization in women3. Ashwagandha is an herb regularly used in Ayurvedic medicine4. In healthy adults, ashwagandha has been shown to increase most activity and improve physical performance5,6. In the current trial, researchers investigated the effects of ashwagandha on muscle status, physical performance, and inflammatory markers as a result of exercise2.
In this double-blind randomized placebo-controlled prospective study, researchers targeted individuals between the age of 18 and 35 years old, with a BMI within 18-30 kg/m who were non-smokers. Participants also needed to have a normal physical, hematological, biochemical laboratory examination and non-alcoholic with no history of upper or lower limb surgeries in the past six months. These volunteers were then randomized to receive either ashwagandha (250mg) or placebo twice daily for 60 days in tablet form. Initial screening was done 7 days prior to the start of the trial. Volunteers were followed up on day 15, day 30, day 45, and day 60 after baseline. At baseline, Researchers took a blood sample to measure inflammatory markers (IL-6, TNF-alpha, and C-reactive protein [hs-CRP]). Afterwards, all participants engaged in an exercise protocol consisting of a 6-minute bike ergonomic exercise, fixed workload exercise on the bicycle, contraction of the knee, back, and hip on a leg press dynamometer, hand grip strength test, and body composition measurement. Participants also completed the Borg rating of perceived exertion after exercise. Thereafter, blood sample was taken again. This time researchers measured myostatin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and creatine phosphokinase (CPK). Researchers are also conducted a test on alertness and reaction time. This full protocol was done at baseline, day 30, and day 60. On day 15 and day 45, only the exercise protocol was carried out. This was a pilot study assessing the effect of ashwaganda supplementation on physical performance and muscle status.
A total of 62 volunteers were recruited and randomly assigned to receive either placebo or ashwaganda. At day 60, 24 volunteers in a placebo group and 28 volunteers in the ashwagandha group completed the trial. The placebo group consisted of all male volunteers while the ashwagandha group consisted of 27 males and one female. Researchers discarded the data from the female patient in the ashwagandha group. Thus, data from 24 male volunteers in the placebo and 27 males in the ashwagandha group were included in this analysis. No statistical difference was observed between the two groups. In both groups, the total distance on the bicycle ergometer was significantly higher on days 30, 45, and 60 compared to baseline (P= 0.001). However, researchers also observed that average speed and total distance was statistically higher in the ashwagandha group compared to placebo (P< 0.05). Systolic blood pressure was also significantly higher in the ashwagandha group compared to the placebo (P< 0.05). Researchers also noted in the placebo group a significant increase in creatine phosphokinase (CPK), C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) on day 60 compared to initial screening (P< 0.05). In the ashwagandha group, researchers observed a significant increase in creatinine phosphokinase (CPK) compared to initial screening (P< 0.05). Researchers also observed a significant increase in cholesterol on the 60 in both the placebo and ashwagandha group compared to initial screening (P< 0.05). No significant increase in myostatin was observed in either group. In the cognitive tests, the ashwagandha group showed statistically significant reduction in reaction time on day 60 (P< 0.05). No serious adverse events were observed in either group and no significant difference in hematological or serological variables were observed.
Results from this study indicate that supplementation with ashwagandha twice daily for two months was associated with a significant increase average speed and total distance traveled measured using a bicycle ergometer compared to baseline and to the placebo. Researchers also saw a significant increase in creatine phosphokinase in both groups compared to baseline with no significant difference between placebo and treatment. Supplementing with ashwagandha was also safe and tolerable. Additional research will be needed to verify these results in women and in a broader population.
Source:Raut, Ashwinikumar, Raakhi Tripathi, Padmaja A. Marathe, Dinesh A. Uchil, Shubhada Agashe, Nirmala Rege, and Ashok B. Vaidya. “Evaluation of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha) on Physical Performance, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Muscle Status in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.” Cureus 16, no. 9 (2024): e68940.
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Posted November 26, 2024.
Chrystal Moulton BA, PMP, is a 2008 graduate of the University of Illinois at Chicago. She graduated with a bachelor’s in psychology with a focus on premedical studies and is a licensed project manager. She currently resides in Indianapolis, IN.
References:
- Rosenberg IH. Sarcopenia: origins and clinical relevance. The Journal of nutrition. 1997;127(5):990S-991S.
- Raut A, Tripathi R, Marathe PA, et al. Evaluation of Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal (Ashwagandha) on Physical Performance, Biomarkers of Inflammation, and Muscle Status in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Cureus. Sep 2024;16(9):e68940. doi:10.7759/cureus.68940
- Jang JY, Kim D, Kim ND. Pathogenesis, Intervention, and Current Status of Drug Development for Sarcopenia: A Review. Biomedicines. Jun 4 2023;11(6)doi:10.3390/biomedicines11061635
- Sharma P. Caraka samhita (text with English translation). Indriya sthana. 1981:43.
- Raut AA, Rege NN, Tadvi FM, et al. Exploratory study to evaluate tolerability, safety, and activity of Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) in healthy volunteers. J Ayurveda Integr Med. Jul 2012;3(3):111-4. doi:10.4103/0975-9476.100168
- Salve BA, Tripathi RK, Petare AU, Raut AA, Rege NN. Effect of Tinospora cordifolia on physical and cardiovascular performance induced by physical stress in healthy human volunteers. Ayu. Jul-Sep 2015;36(3):265-70. doi:10.4103/0974-8520.182751
