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Frontiers in veterinary science2020; 7; 541112; doi: 10.3389/fvets.2020.541112

Adaptogenic and Immunomodulatory Activity of Ashwagandha Root Extract: An Experimental Study in an Equine Model.

Abstract: Ashwagandha ( L. Dunal.) is an important "" of Ayurveda. The roots are extensively used as an adaptogen and for different health issues. Anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and immune-stimulating effects of Ashwagandha are well-documented. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of Ashwagandha root extract as an adaptogen against various types of stress in horses. A total of 24 Kathiawari horses were selected and randomly divided into four groups. All the horses were provided with normal feed and water . Group 1 (G1) was treated as the control group, and the horses were given a normal diet. Group 2 (G2), Group 3 (G3), and Group 4 (G4) horses received varying doses of Ashwagandha root extract along with the normal diet. All the animals were subjected to different types of stress including exercise-induced stress, separation, and noise stress on three different days and evaluated for various hematological, biochemical, hormonal, and immunological parameters. Over the 21 days, a statistically significant ( < 0.05) increase in total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, hemoglobin content, lymphocyte percentage, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase activities was observed. A statistically significant ( < 0.05) decrease in cortisol, epinephrine, glucose, triglycerides, creatinine, IL-6, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase was observed in the Ashwagandha treated groups (G2, G3, and G4) when compared to the control group (G1). The results suggest that Ashwagandha root extract has potent hemopoietic, antioxidant, adaptogenic, and immune-stimulant properties.
Copyright © 2020 Priyanka, Anil Kumar, Lakshman, Manvitha and Kala Kumar.
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Publication Date: 2020-09-29 PubMed ID: 33134345PubMed Central: PMC7552885DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2020.541112Google Scholar: Lookup
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Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

The research paper focused on the testing of Ashwagandha root extract’s effectiveness as an adaptogen and its impacts on various stress factors in an experiment with horses. The study suggests potential benefits like improved hemopoietic, antioxidant, adaptogenic, and immune-boosting properties in horses subject to varying types of stress.

Objective of the Research

  • The main goal of the study was to evaluate the adaptogenic and immunomodulatory effects of Ashwagandha root extract in an equine model, specifically testing its impact against different types of stress like exercise-induced stress, separation, and noise stress.

Research Methodology

  • The study was conducted with 24 Kathiawari horses, which were randomly divided into four groups.
  • The horses were all provided with normal food and water. The first group (G1) acted as the control and wasn’t given the Ashwagandha extract.
  • The three test groups (G2, G3, and G4) received different doses of Ashwagandha extract with their normal diet.
  • Various medical parameters, including hematological, biochemical, hormonal, and immunological, were evaluated.

Results and Findings

  • The study spanned 21 days, witnessing an increase in total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, hemoglobin content, lymphocyte percentage, reduced glutathione, and superoxide dismutase activities among horses in the test groups.
  • There was a significant decrease in cortisol, epinephrine, glucose, triglycerides, creatinine, IL-6, alanine aminotransferase, and aspartate aminotransferase in these groups when compared to the control group.
  • All changes observed in the Ashwagandha treated groups were statistically significant, implying successful control of the confounding factors in the study.

Conclusion

  • The study concluded that Ashwagandha root extract exhibited solid hemopoietic, antioxidant, adaptogenic, and immune-stimulant properties, promising potential benefits in managing stress in horses.
  • This research could potentially open further studies to explore the benefits of Ashwagandha root extract for other animals or even human applications, bearing in mind the extract’s positive adaptogenic effects.

Cite This Article

APA
Priyanka G, Anil Kumar B, Lakshman M, Manvitha V, Kala Kumar B. (2020). Adaptogenic and Immunomodulatory Activity of Ashwagandha Root Extract: An Experimental Study in an Equine Model. Front Vet Sci, 7, 541112. https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.541112

Publication

Frontiers in veterinary science
ISSN: 2297-1769
NlmUniqueID: 101666658
Country: Switzerland
Language: English
Volume: 7
Pages: 541112
PII: 541112

Researcher Affiliations

Priyanka, G
  • Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
Anil Kumar, B
  • Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
Lakshman, M
  • Department of Veterinary Pathology, College of Veterinary Science, Hyderabad, India.
Manvitha, V
  • Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.
Kala Kumar, B
  • Department of Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology, College of Veterinary Science Rajendranagar, Hyderabad, India.

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Citations

This article has been cited 14 times.
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