B Natural uses Ashwagandha to increase blood platlet counts and also for energy and over all health in cancer patients. More people are using it to help feel a general wellbeing and maintained healthy level of energy.
The following information is from Slone Kettering
Common Name
Ashwagandha, Indian ginseng, Winter cherry
Clinical Summary
A popular Ayurvedic medicinal substance derived from the root and berry of the plant, ashwagandha is often used 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). The active constituents are thought to include alkaloids, steroidal lactones, saponins, and withanolides. In vitro studies suggest that ashwagandha has anti-inflammatory properties which may protect against cartilage damage in osteoarthritis (4). In addition, improvements in hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and insulin sensitivity have been detected in animal model of type 2 diabetes (5).
In vitro studies suggest Ashwagandha may reduce growth of breast, central nervous system, colon, and lung cancer cells (6) without inducing cell death in normal cells (7). In addition, animal studies suggest ashwagandha has antitumor, immunomodulatory, antioxidant, and anti-stress properties. Other studies have shown cytotoxic, chemopreventative, immunomodulating (8), and radiosensitizing effects (1)(9)(10) in addition to enhancement in chromosomal stability (11). The herb may also help prevent chemotherapy-induced neutropenia (12). However, the effects of ashwagandha in cancer patients have yet to be determined.
Ashwagandha has been found to be rich in iron (2). Small scale human studies suggest ashwagandha may promote growth in children and improve hemoglobin level, red blood cell count, and sexual performance in adults (2). In addition, an herbomineral formula containing ashwagandha was shown to benefit osteoarthritis in a clinical trial (13).
Ashwagandha may induce abortion. Pregnant women should avoid this herb (14).
Purported uses
Cancer treatment
Diabetes
Epilepsy
Fatigue
GI disorders
Health maintenance
Pain
Rheumatoid arthritis
Sedation
Skin infections
Stress
Constituents
Alkanoids: isopelletierine, anaferine
Steroidal lactones: withanolides (withaferin-A, 12-deoxywithastramonolide, and withanolide-A), withaferins
Saponins: sitoindoside VII and VIII, Iron
Mechanism of Action
Alkaloids, steroidal lactones, saponins, and withanolides are thought to be the biologically active components of ashwagandha. Studies have pointed to cyclooxygenase (COX) inhibition as the mechanism for the herb’s antiarthritic properties. In animal studies, Ashwagandha’s anti-inflammatory effects were comparable to hydrocortisone (15). Microarray analysis revealed that ashwagandha represses proinflammatory gene expression, including IL-6, IL-1รข, IL-8, Hsp70, and STAT-2, and induces p38/MAPK expression in a prostate cancer cell line (16). It exhibits antioxidant effects in the brain and tranquilizing effects on the central nervous system in animals (2) possibly by influencing GABA receptor function (17). Ashwagandha may inhibit tumor growth (1) (21)and increases cytotoxic T lymphocyte production (8). In vitro studies have shown that root extracts have cytotoxic properties against lung, colon, central nervous system, and breast cancer cell lines (6). Withaferin A induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation and disruption of mitochondrial function in a human leukemia cell line, thereby inducing apoptosis (18). In estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and negative (ER-) breast cancer cells, withaferin A induces apoptosis and decreased tumor size (19). Apoptosis of cancer cells by withanone is mediated through p53 (7). Other studies show ashwagandha’s cytotoxicity is related to its structure; it enhances ATPase and inhibits succinate dehydrogenase activities, impairing oxidative phosphorylation. In animal studies, ashwagandha can enhance the effects of radiation therapy (20) by reducing tumor GSH levels (10). Ashwagandha can reverse paclitaxel-induced neutropenia in mice (12). Significant toxicity was observed at high doses in animal studies (20); however, toxicity studies in humans are limited (2).
