The objective of this clinical study was to evaluate comparative clinical efficacy and safety of Ashwagandha when used to treat cognitive function in adults. Study results show Ashwagandha demonstrated excellent safety and efficacy in patients with memory impairment. The subjects’ cognition was tested at the beginning, middle and end of the 56-day trial using the MMSE (Mini-Mental State Examination) method.
Those treated with Ashwagandha showed improvement in all MMSE scores compared to the baseline and placebo trial, including immediate memory, spatial orientation, attention, delayed recall, and writing.
Ashwagandha is an extract of ashwagandha (Withania somnifera), containing six withanolides (withanoside IV, withaferin A, withanoside VI, 12-deoxy withastramonolide, withanolide A and withanolide B). Ashwagandha is manufactured using a unique extraction process, yielding the optimum percentage of withanolides, and retaining the plant’s other important bioactives, which are required for the efficacy of the herb.
Cognitive impairment, or dementia, is a common progressive neurological disorder around the world. Dementia refers to a clinical syndrome characterized by progressive cognitive decline that interferes with the ability to function independently, which in turn causes significant social and financial burden.
In the clinical study, Ashwagandha demonstrated an excellent safety and efficacy profile in patients with cognitive impairment. Patients had clinically significant improvement in symptoms by day 56 as evidenced by MMSE scores. Treatment was well tolerated and there were no any serious adverse effects related to the medication. Ashwagandha is safe when administered orally and has a definitive role in the management cognitive impairment.
