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

B Kala Kumar,B Anil Kumar,G Priyanka,V Manvitha,M Lakshman

doi:10.3389/fvets.2020.541112

B Kala Kumar, B Anil Kumar + Show 3 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3389/fvets.2020.541112

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Abstract

Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera L. Dunal.) is an important “Rasayana” 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 ad libitum. 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 (p < 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 (p < 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.

Highlights

Management of various environmental stress remains a great challenge for animals
At the end of the study, a non-significant increase in the mean body weight of the horses in the treatment groups was observed in comparison to the control group (Figure 1)
There was an increase in the total erythrocyte count, total leucocyte count, hemoglobin, and lymphocyte percentage values in the treatment group 3 (G3) (Figure 2), though not statistically significant, the obtained values were higher than the other treatment groups (G2 & Group 4 (G4))

Summary

Introduction

Management of various environmental stress remains a great challenge for animals. Altering environmental stimulations affects the homeostasis and impact the hormonal secretion and functions. Acute or chronic stimulations can change the physiological conditions with time. Stress is a non-specific response of humans and animals that may appear due to unpleasant stimuli or perception [1]. Stress refers to the unacceptance or non-adaptation of a particular negative stimulation and expressed through acute or chronic behavioral changes. The degree of behavior change differs from species to species and individual to individual. Negative emotion induces stress levels in both humans and animals [2, 3]

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