In vivo Effects of Ashwagandha Withania somnifera on the Activation of Lymphocytes Jeremy Mikolai, A

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In vivo Effects of Ashwagandha (Withania
somnifera) on the Activation of Lymphocytes
Jeremy Mikolai, Andrew Erlandsen, Andrew
Murison, Kimberly Brown M.S.O.M., William L.
Gregory Ph.D., Padma Raman-Caplan N.D., Heather
Zwickey Ph.D.Helfgott Research Institute at the
National College of Natural Medicine, 049 SW
Porter St., Portland, OR. 97201

• Background Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera) is
  an herbal supplement commonly used in Ayurveda,
  the traditional medicine of India. Purported
  health benefits include effects on several organ
  systems. Previous research has suggested immune
  consequences resulting from Ashwagandha
  supplementation, though human investigations have
  been few and mechanisms of action have not been
  described. Traditional Ayurvedic practice
  includes the co-administration of herbal
  supplements with a carrier substance, anupana.
  This step has been largely left out of previous
  research investigations.
• Objective A quasi-experimental pilot study was
  designed to determine the immunological
  mechanisms of action of Ashwagandha when
  administered with a traditional anupana, cows
  milk. The objectives were to determine
• The effects on the activation state of CD8
  T-cells, CD4 T-cells, CD19 B cells, and CD56
  NK lymphocytes over a 96 hour period
• The effects on expression of the early activation
  marker CD69
• The properties of Ashwagandha most suitable for
  further investigation.
• Design Five participants consumed 12mL liquid
  extract of Ashwagandha root daily in divided
  doses combined with 8 fl oz. of cows milk.
  Peripheral blood samples were collected from
  participants at 0, 24 and 96 hours and compared
  for differences in lymphocyte count and
  activation state.
• Methods Analysis of lymphocyte cell count and
  surface receptor data was conducted using FACScan
  flow cytometry to assay CD3, CD4, CD8, CD19, CD56
  and CD69 cell markers. A multivariate analysis of
  variance (MANOVA) and Paired sample T-tests were
  used to analyze data for changes in investigatory
  parameters.

Further information regarding this study may be
found in an upcoming publication of The Journal
of Alternative and Complementary Medicine (JACM).
The authors of this study have no competing
financial interests to disclose.